Semiconductor device, device, and electronic device

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device with improved operating speed is provided. A semiconductor device including a memory circuit has a function of storing a start-up routine in the memory circuit and executing the start-up routine, a function of operating the memory circuit as a buffer memory device after executing the start-up routine, and a function of loading the start-up routine into the memory circuit from outside before the semiconductor device is powered off.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a semiconductor device including a memory circuit. Alternatively, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a semiconductor device including a memory circuit and a programmable logic device in which the configuration of hardware can be changed.

Note that one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above technical field. The technical field of one embodiment of the invention disclosed in this specification and the like relates to an object, a method, or a manufacturing method. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a process, a machine, manufacture, or a composition of matter. Specifically, examples of the technical field of one embodiment of the present invention disclosed in this specification include a semiconductor device, a display device, a liquid crystal display device, a light-emitting device, a lighting device, a power storage device, a memory device, a method for driving any of them, and a method for manufacturing any of them.

BACKGROUND ART

A processor executes a program called a start-up routine when it is booted. Although it depends on the environment in which the processor executes a program, the start-up routine includes processes necessary before the main routine is executed, such as setting a variety of registers, copying minimally necessary programs from a memory device outside the processor into a cache memory, and setting the cache memory to a usable state. A specific example of the setting of a variety of registers is a setting for an external peripheral device connected to the processor, such as a latency setting for a DRAM that is a main memory device.

In many cases, the start-up routine is stored in a nonvolatile memory device outside the processor. A mask ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, a flash memory, or the like is normally used as a nonvolatile memory device for storing the start-up routine. Patent Document 1 discloses a processor which includes a power-on determination circuit for determining whether power has been turned on for a system or for periodic operation and therefore does not require an operation to read table data of initial values from a boot ROM when power has been turned on for the periodic operation.

REFERENCE

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2003-196097

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The boot time of the processor depends on the speed of reading data from the nonvolatile memory where the start-up routine is stored. Therefore, a structure in which the processor and the nonvolatile memory where the start-up routine is stored are contained in the same chip can increase the speed of data reading and is thus effective in shortening the boot time of the processor. Although the nonvolatile memory is needed when the start-up routine is executed, i.e., when the processor is booted, the nonvolatile memory is unnecessary after the processor is booted and starts normal operation. In this regard, the structure in which the nonvolatile memory and the processor are contained in the same chip might cause a decrease in area efficiency and an increase in chip cost.

Executing the start-up routine every time the processor is booted might lead to a decrease in the speed of the processor.

In view of the foregoing technical background, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device in which the area of a circuit that is unnecessary during normal operation is small.

An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a novel semiconductor device or the like. Note that the description of these objects does not disturb the existence of other objects. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is no need to achieve all the objects. Other objects will be apparent from and can be derived from the description of the specification, the drawings, the claims, and the like.

A semiconductor device in one embodiment of the present invention includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a third circuit, a fourth circuit, a fifth circuit, a sixth circuit, and a seventh circuit. The first circuit has a function of storing a program in a first period and a function of operating as a buffer memory device for the second circuit in a second period. The second circuit has a function of executing the program in the second period. The first period includes a period in which the supply of first power is stopped. The second period includes a period in which the first power is supplied. The third circuit has a function of measuring the length of the first period. The fourth circuit has a function of operating to start the supply of the first power to the second circuit when the second period starts. The fifth circuit has a function of storing data on the length of the first period measured by the third circuit. The sixth circuit has a function of determining whether data requested by the second circuit is stored in the first circuit or not in the case where the first circuit operates as the buffer memory device. The seventh circuit has a function of supplying second power to the fourth circuit and the fifth circuit.

One embodiment of the present invention is a semiconductor device including a memory circuit. The semiconductor device has a function of storing a start-up routine in the memory circuit and executing the start-up routine, a function of operating the memory circuit as a buffer memory device after executing the start-up routine, and a function of loading the start-up routine into the memory circuit from outside before the semiconductor device is powered off.

The semiconductor device may have a function of measuring the length of the period in which the supply of power is stopped, and a function of comparing the length of the period in which the supply of power is stopped with the length of a preset period after the power is supplied and executing the start-up routine after loading the start-up routine into the memory circuit from outside when the period in which the supply of power is stopped is longer than the preset period or executing the start-up routine stored in the memory circuit when the period in which the supply of power is stopped is shorter than the preset period.

One embodiment of the present invention is a semiconductor device capable of being properly booted to perform normal operation without executing a start-up routine.

One embodiment of the present invention is a semiconductor device including a memory circuit. The semiconductor device has a function of performing a first operation and then performing a second operation, a function of executing a start-up routine in the first operation, a function of storing data on a setting of the semiconductor device in the memory circuit before completing the first operation, and a function of performing an operation based on the setting according to the data stored in the memory circuit without executing the start-up routine in the second operation.

One embodiment of the present invention is a semiconductor device including a memory circuit and a logic circuit. The logic circuit includes a plurality of circuits. The semiconductor device has a function of performing a first operation and then performing a second operation, a function of executing a start-up routine in the first operation, a function of storing data on a setting of the semiconductor device in the memory circuit before completing the first operation, and a function of performing an operation based on the setting according to the data stored in the memory circuit without executing the start-up routine in the second operation. The memory circuit has a function of controlling electrical connection between the plurality of circuits according to the data stored therein.

The semiconductor device may have a function of operating the memory circuit as a buffer memory device after executing the start-up routine in the first operation, and a function of operating the memory circuit as a buffer memory device after performing the operation based on the setting in the second operation.

The memory circuit may include a semiconductor element containing an oxide semiconductor. The semiconductor device may execute the start-up routine as needed. For example, the semiconductor device may execute the start-up routine every time the semiconductor device is booted. In the case where the start-up routine is executed, the memory circuit has a function of storing a program for the start-up routine.

One embodiment of the present invention can provide a semiconductor device with improved operating speed. One embodiment of the present invention can provide a semiconductor device in which the area of a circuit that is unnecessary during normal operation is small.

Note that one embodiment of the present invention can provide a novel semiconductor device or the like. Note that the description of these effects does not disturb the existence of other effects. One embodiment of the present invention does not necessarily achieve all the above effects. Other effects will be apparent from and can be derived from the description of the specification, the drawings, the claims, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operation of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an operation of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operation of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 6 illustrates an operation of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 7 illustrates an operation of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 8 illustrates an operation of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 9 illustrates a structural example of a cell array.

FIG. 10 illustrates a structural example of a memory circuit.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart.

FIG. 12 illustrates a structural example of a cell array.

FIG. 13 illustrates a structural example of a cell array.

FIG. 14 illustrates a partial structure of a logic circuit.

FIGS. 15A to 15D each illustrate a specific circuit structure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional structure of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 17A to 17C illustrate a structure of a transistor.

FIGS. 18A to 18C illustrate a structure of a transistor.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional structure of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 20A to 20F each illustrate an electronic device.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operation of a semiconductor device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following description, and it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the description in the following embodiments.

Note that a “source” of a transistor in this specification means a source region that is part of a semiconductor film functioning as an active layer or a source electrode connected to the semiconductor film. Similarly, a “drain” of a transistor means a drain region that is part of the semiconductor film or a drain electrode connected to the semiconductor film. A “gate” means a gate electrode.

The terms “source” and “drain” of a transistor interchange with each other depending on the conductivity type of the transistor or levels of potentials applied to the terminals. In general, in an n-channel transistor, a terminal to which a lower potential is applied is called a source, and a terminal to which a higher potential is applied is called a drain. In a p-channel transistor, a terminal to which a lower potential is applied is called a drain, and a terminal to which a higher potential is applied is called a source. In this specification, although connection relation of the transistor is described assuming that the source and the drain are fixed for convenience in some cases, actually, the names of the source and the drain interchange with each other depending on the relation of the potentials.

Structural Example 1 of Semiconductor Device

First, a structural example of a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of a semiconductor device 10 of one embodiment of the present invention.

The semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 1 includes a processor 11, a memory circuit 12, a power management unit (PMU) 13, a register 14, a comparator circuit 15, and a power supply 16.

The processor 11 has a function of executing a variety of programs by controlling the overall operations of the memory circuit 12, the PMU 13, the register 14, and the like. The memory circuit 12 has a function of storing a variety of data. The memory circuit 12 can retain data stored therein even in a period where the supply of power to the memory circuit 12 is stopped. A specific structure of the memory circuit 12 and an operation thereof will be described later. In one embodiment of the present invention, the memory circuit 12 can store data on a start-up routine to be executed when the processor 11 is booted. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the memory circuit 12 can function as a buffer memory device (cache memory) of the processor 11 after the processor 11 is booted. In the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as a buffer memory device of the processor 11, the memory circuit 12 may store a variety of programs to be executed by the processor 11, data used for a variety of arithmetic operations performed by the processor 11, data obtained by the variety of arithmetic operations, or the like.

Note that the processor 11 may have another function, or may lack part of the function, for example. Therefore, the processor 11 may be referred to simply as a circuit, or may be referred to as a first circuit, a second circuit, or the like.

Note that the memory circuit 12 may have another function, or may lack part of the function, for example. Therefore, the memory circuit 12 may be referred to simply as a circuit, or may be referred to as a first circuit, a second circuit, or the like.

The comparator circuit 15 has a function of determining whether data requested by the processor 11 is stored in the memory circuit 12 or not in the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as a buffer memory device.

Note that the comparator circuit 15 may have another function, or may lack part of the function, for example. Therefore, the comparator circuit 15 may be referred to simply as a circuit, or may be referred to as a first circuit, a second circuit, or the like.

The PMU 13 has a function of operating to start the supply of power to the processor 11 and the memory circuit 12 when the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 from outside is started. Furthermore, the PMU 13 may have a function of operating to start the supply of a variety of drive signals, such as a clock signal, necessary for the operation of the processor 11 or the memory circuit 12 to the processor 11 or the memory circuit 12 when the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is started.

The PMU 13 includes a counter 17. The counter 17 has a function of measuring a period in which the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 from outside is stopped. The register 14 has a function of storing data on the measured period. Note that although FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the semiconductor device 10 in which the counter 17 is a component of the PMU 13, the counter 17 may be separate from the PMU 13 in the semiconductor device 10. Although FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the register 14 is separate from the PMU 13 in the semiconductor device 10, the register 14 may be a component of the PMU 13.

Note that the PMU 13 may have another function, or may lack part of the function, for example. Therefore, the PMU 13 may be referred to simply as a circuit, or may be referred to as a first circuit, a second circuit, or the like.

Note that the counter 17 may have another function, or may lack part of the function, for example. Therefore, the counter 17 may be referred to simply as a circuit, or may be referred to as a first circuit, a second circuit, or the like.

In addition to the data on the above period, the register 14 may store data for determining whether to load the start-up routine into the memory circuit 12 from the outside of the semiconductor device 10 when the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 from outside is resumed.

Note that the register 14 may have another function, or may lack part of the function, for example. Therefore, the register 14 may be referred to simply as a circuit, or may be referred to as a first circuit, a second circuit, or the like.

The power supply 16 has a function of supplying power to the PMU 13 and the register 14 in a period where the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 from outside is stopped. In the case where the counter 17 is separate from the PMU 13 in the semiconductor device 10, the power supply 16 has a function of supplying power to the counter 17 in addition to the PMU 13 and the register 14 in the period where the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 from outside is stopped.

As the power supply 16, specifically, a primary battery, a power storage device such as a capacitor or a secondary battery, or the like can be used. As the secondary battery, a lead-acid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-hydride battery, or a lithium-ion battery can be used, for example. As the capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, or a hybrid capacitor in which one of a pair of electrodes has an electric double layer structure and the other of the pair of electrodes utilizes an oxidation-reduction reaction, can be used, for example. The hybrid capacitor, for example, includes a lithium ion capacitor in which a positive electrode has an electric double layer structure and a negative electrode has a lithium ion secondary battery structure. In the case where the power storage device such as the capacitor or the secondary battery is used as the power supply 16, a charge control circuit for preventing overcharge or overdischarge of the power storage device may be provided in the semiconductor device 10.

The power supply 16 may include a circuit such as a DC-DC converter, a step-up circuit, or a step-down circuit. That is, the power supply 16 may have a function of generating a plurality of potentials. In that case, the power supply 16 can have a function of a power supply circuit.

The power supply 16 may have a function of receiving power wirelessly. That is, the power supply 16 may be charged with power that is supplied from outside through the use of a magnetic field, an electric field, an electromagnetic field, or the like. Therefore, the power supply 16 may include a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, or the like. Alternatively, the power supply 16 may include an AC-DC converter or the like.

Note that the power supply 16 is not necessarily provided in the semiconductor device 10. The power supply 16 may be provided outside the semiconductor device 10, or a power supply which supplies power to the semiconductor device 10 may be used in addition to the power supply 16. That is, a power supply which supplies power to the PMU 13 and the register 14 and a power supply which supplies power to the other components may be separately provided. Alternatively, a single power supply may be provided to supply power to the PMU 13, the register 14, and the other components, and the supply of power to each component may be individually controlled. For example, the supply of power may be controlled such that power is supplied only to the PMU 13, the register 14, and the like and not to the other components.

Note that the power supply 16 may have another function, or may lack part of the function, for example. Therefore, the power supply 16 may be referred to simply as a circuit, or may be referred to as a first circuit, a second circuit, or the like.

Operation Example 1 of Semiconductor Device

Next, an operation example of the semiconductor device 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described using a flowchart in FIG. 2.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is started (A01: power supply). When the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is started, the PMU 13 operates to start the supply of power to the processor 11 and the memory circuit 12. The PMU 13 may operate to start the supply of a drive signal to the processor 11 and the memory circuit 12.

Next, the PMU 13 determines whether a period where the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is stopped is longer than or shorter than a preset period (A02: determination of power supply stop period). The preset period is preferably set so as to be as long as or shorter than a period where the start-up routine stored in the memory circuit 12 can be retained therein after the supply of power to the memory circuit 12 is stopped.

In the case where the period where the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is stopped is longer than the preset period, it is highly likely that the start-up routine is not stored in the memory circuit 12. Therefore, the PMU 13 operates to load the start-up routine into the memory circuit 12 from the outside of the semiconductor device 10 (A03: loading of start-up routine into memory circuit from outside).

In the case where the period where the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is stopped is shorter than the preset period, it is highly likely that the start-up routine is stored in the memory circuit 12. Therefore, the PMU 13 operates so that the processor 11 executes the start-up routine stored in the memory circuit 12.

Note that, for example, in the case where the period where the supply of power is stopped can be accurately estimated, whether to load the start-up routine into the memory circuit 12 from the outside of the semiconductor device 10 after the supply of power is resumed can be predetermined before the supply of power is stopped. In that case, data for determining whether to load the start-up routine into the memory circuit 12 from outside (hereinafter referred to as determination data) may be stored in the register 14. With the use of the determination data, it is possible to predetermine whether to load the start-up routine into the memory circuit 12 from the outside of the semiconductor device 10, without determining whether the period where the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is stopped is longer than or shorter than the preset period (A02: determination of power supply stop period). Specifically, the PMU 13 can operate, according to the determination data from the register 14, to perform the operation of loading the start-up routine into the memory circuit 12 from the outside of the semiconductor device 10 (A03: loading of start-up routine into memory circuit from outside).

Even in the case where the determination data is stored in the register 14, when the period where the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is stopped is longer than the preset period, it is more likely that the start-up routine is not stored in the memory circuit 12. In this case, a valid bit which indicates whether the determination data is valid or invalid may be stored in the memory circuit 12; when the valid bit is invalid, the operation of loading the start-up routine into the memory circuit 12 (A03: loading of start-up routine into memory circuit from outside) is forcibly selected. For example, in the case where a valid bit having a logical value of “1” which indicates that the valid bit is valid, as well as the determination data, is stored in the memory circuit 12, when the determination data is lost, the logical value of the valid bit changes from the logical value “1” which indicates that the valid bit is valid to a logical value of “0” which indicates that it is invalid, whereby the determination data can be determined to be invalid.

Next, the processor 11 executes the start-up routine (A05: execution of start-up routine). By executing the start-up routine, the processor 11 is booted, i.e., becomes capable of executing a variety of programs.

Next, the semiconductor device 10 starts normal operation (A06: start of normal operation). In one embodiment of the present invention, after the semiconductor device 10 starts normal operation, the function of the memory circuit 12 can be switched (A07: switching of function of memory circuit). Specifically, after the semiconductor device 10 starts normal operation, the memory circuit 12 can function as a buffer memory device of the processor 11. Then, when the stop of the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is started (A08: start of stop of power supply), the function of the memory circuit 12 is switched to the original function of storing the start-up routine.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an operation of the semiconductor device 10 in which the memory circuit 12 functions as the buffer memory device of the processor 11. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the semiconductor device 10, the processor 11, the memory circuit 12, the comparator circuit 15, and the PMU 13 are in an operating state, i.e., in a state of being supplied with power and a drive signal. In the case where the counter 17 is separate from the PMU 13 in the semiconductor device 10, the counter 17 is not necessarily in the operating state. In the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as the buffer memory device of the processor 11, power is supplied to the semiconductor device 10 from outside; therefore, power is not necessarily supplied from the power supply 16 to the PMU 13 and the register 14.

For example, when the processor 11 requests access to data in the memory circuit 12, low-order and high-order bits of an address of the data are sent to the memory circuit 12 and the comparator circuit 15, respectively. The memory circuit 12 sends, to the comparator circuit 15, high-order bits (also referred to as tag data) of an address stored in a line corresponding to the low-order bits of the address to which access is requested. The comparator circuit 15 compares the high-order bits of the address to which access is requested by the processor 11 with the high-order bits of the address sent from the memory circuit 12. As a result of comparison, when the high-order bits of the addresses match with each other, the data is stored in the line corresponding to the low-order bits of the address to which access is requested by the processor 11. When the high-order bits of the addresses do not match with each other, the data to which access is requested is not stored in the memory circuit 12. In the case where the data is stored in the memory circuit 12, the data is sent to the processor 11.

Next, the start-up routine is loaded from the outside of the semiconductor device 10 and stored in the memory circuit 12 (A09: loading of start-up routine into memory circuit from outside). Then, the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is stopped (A10: stop of power supply).

In the case where the start-up routine is stored in the memory circuit 12 before the supply of power is stopped, the start-up routine does not need to be loaded into the memory circuit 12 from outside when the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is resumed (A01: power supply) and the period where the supply of power is stopped is determined (A02: determination of power supply stop period) to be shorter than the preset period. This can reduce the time it takes to boot the processor 11.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an operation of the semiconductor device 10 in which the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing the start-up routine. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the semiconductor device 10, the processor 11, the memory circuit 12, the PMU 13, and the register 14 are in an operating state. In the case where the counter 17 is separate from the PMU 13 in the semiconductor device 10, the counter 17 is also in the operating state. In the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing the start-up routine, power is supplied to the semiconductor device 10 from outside in some cases and not in others. In the case where power is supplied to the semiconductor device 10, power is not necessarily supplied from the power supply 16 to the PMU 13 and the register 14. In the case where power is not supplied to the semiconductor device 10, power is supplied from the power supply 16 to the PMU 13 and the register 14.

Note that in the case where whether to load the start-up routine from outside is predetermined according to the determination data after the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is resumed (A01: power supply), the determination data is stored in the register 14 after the stop of the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is started (A08: start of stop of power supply) and before the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is stopped (A10: stop of power supply).

The determination data may be created according to an instruction that is input to the semiconductor device 10 by a user via an input device of the semiconductor device 10. As the input device, a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, a sensor, or the like can be used.

In the case where a power storage device is used as the power supply 16, power may be supplied to the power storage device in a period where power is supplied to the semiconductor device 10.

Structural Example 2 of Semiconductor Device

Next, a structural example of a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention, which is different from that in FIG. 1, will be described. FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a semiconductor device 10 of one embodiment of the present invention.

Like the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 1, the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5 includes a processor 11, a memory circuit 12, a power management unit (PMU) 13, a register 14, a comparator circuit 15, and a power supply 16. In addition, the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5 includes a logic circuit 18, and the logic circuit 18 includes a plurality of circuits 19.

In the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5, as in the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 1, the memory circuit 12 can store data on a start-up routine to be executed when the processor 11 is booted. In the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5, as in the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 1, the memory circuit 12 can function as a buffer memory device of the processor 11 after the processor 11 is booted. Furthermore, in the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5, the memory circuit 12 can store data for controlling electrical connection between the plurality of circuits 19 (hereinafter referred to as configuration data). By controlling electrical connection between the plurality of circuits 19 according to the configuration data stored in the memory circuit 12, the logic circuit 18 can have additional functions of a variety of sequential circuits and combination circuits.

The semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5 may have a structure with which the kind of logic operation of the circuit 19, specifically, the logical value of an output signal corresponding to the logical value of an input signal of the circuit 19, is determined according to configuration data. When the kind of logic operation of each of the plurality of circuits 19 is changed, the logic circuit 18 can have additional functions of a greater variety of sequential circuits and combination circuits.

In the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5, the memory circuit 12 may have a function of a switch for controlling electrical connection between the plurality of circuits 19 according to the configuration data, in addition to the function of storing the configuration data.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an operation of the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5 in which the memory circuit 12 functions as the buffer memory device of the processor 11. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the semiconductor device 10, the processor 11, the memory circuit 12, the comparator circuit 15, and the PMU 13 are in an operating state. In the case where the counter 17 is separate from the PMU 13 in the semiconductor device 10, the counter 17 is not necessarily in the operating state. In the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as the buffer memory device of the processor 11, power is supplied to the semiconductor device 10 from outside; therefore, power is not necessarily supplied from the power supply 16 to the PMU 13 and the register 14.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an operation of the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5 in which the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing the configuration data. As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the semiconductor device 10, the processor 11, the memory circuit 12, the PMU 13, and the logic circuit 18 are in an operating state. In the case where the counter 17 is separate from the PMU 13 in the semiconductor device 10, the counter 17 is not necessarily in the operating state. In the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing the configuration data, power is supplied to the semiconductor device 10 from outside; therefore, power is not necessarily supplied from the power supply 16 to the PMU 13 and the register 14.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an operation of the semiconductor device 10 in FIG. 5 in which the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing the start-up routine. As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the semiconductor device 10, the processor 11, the memory circuit 12, the PMU 13, and the register 14 are in an operating state. In the case where the counter 17 is separate from the PMU 13 in the semiconductor device 10, the counter 17 is also in the operating state. In the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing the start-up routine, power is supplied to the semiconductor device 10 from outside in some cases and not in others. In the case where power is supplied to the semiconductor device 10, power is not necessarily supplied from the power supply 16 to the PMU 13 and the register 14. In the case where power is not supplied to the semiconductor device 10, power is supplied from the power supply 16 to the PMU 13 and the register 14.

Note that FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically illustrate operations in which the memory circuit 12 functions as the buffer memory device of the processor 11 and in which the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing the configuration data, respectively. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the memory circuit 12 may function as the buffer memory device of the processor 11, and another portion of the memory circuit 12 may have a function of storing the configuration data.

Structural Example 1 of Cell Array

Next, a specific structural example of a cell array 20 included in the memory circuit 12 will be described.

The cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a plurality of wirings WBL represented as wirings WBL-1 to WBL-n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), a plurality of wirings RBL represented as wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n, a plurality of wirings SL represented as wirings SL-1 to SL-n, a plurality of wirings WWL represented as wirings WWL-1 to WWL-m (m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), and a plurality of wirings RWL represented as wirings RWL-1 to RWL-m. The cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 9 also includes (n×m) circuits 21. Each of the circuits 21 at least includes a transistor 22, a transistor 23, a transistor 24, and a capacitor 25.

The (n×m) circuits 21 are divided into m groups 26, each of which is connected to a wiring WWL-j and a wiring RWL-j (j is a natural number less than m) and includes n circuits 21. In FIG. 9, the m groups 26 are shown as groups 26-1 to 26-m.

Specifically, in the circuit 21 in the j-th row and the i-th column (i is a natural number less than n), a gate of the transistor 22 is electrically connected to the wiring WWL-j. One of a source and a drain of the transistor 22 is electrically connected to a wiring WBL-i and the other is electrically connected to a gate of the transistor 23. One of a source and a drain of the transistor 23 is electrically connected to a wiring RBL-i and the other is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the transistor 24. The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 24 is electrically connected to a wiring SL-i. A gate of the transistor 24 is electrically connected to the wiring RWL-j.

One terminal of the capacitor 25 is connected to the gate of the transistor 23 and the other terminal of the capacitor 25 is connected to a wiring. Note that the wiring is preferably supplied with a constant potential. Examples of the wiring include a wiring that can supply high-potential-side power supply potential, a wiring that can supply low-potential-side power supply potential, and a wiring that can supply the ground potential. Note that one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. Depending on the case or the situation, a wiring that can supply a pulse signal can be used.

Note that FIG. 9 illustrates the case where the transistor 24 is electrically connected between the other of the source and the drain of the transistor 23 and the wiring SL. The transistor 24 may be electrically connected between the one of the source and the drain of the transistor 23 and the wiring RBL.

Each of the circuits 21 may also include another circuit element such as a transistor, a diode, a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, or the like as necessary.

In each of the circuits 21 included in the cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 9, when a signal containing data is supplied to the wiring WBL while the transistor 22 is on, the signal is supplied to the gate of the transistor 23 through the transistor 22. Then, the transistor 22 is turned off, whereby the signal supplied to the gate of the transistor 23 is retained. The transistor 23 is turned on or off depending on the potential of the gate which retains the signal.

Since the transistor 24 and the transistor 23 are electrically connected to each other in series, the transistor 24 controls the electrical connection (on/off state) between the wiring RBL and the wiring SL, together with the transistor 23. Specifically, when the transistor 23 and the transistor 24 are on, the wiring RBL and the wiring SL are electrically connected to each other, which allows current to flow therebetween. In the case where at least one of the transistors 23 and 24 is off, the wiring RBL and the wiring SL are electrically isolated from each other. This means that the electrical connection between the plurality of wirings RBL and the plurality of wirings SL is determined depending on the potential of the signal containing data stored in each of the circuits 21.

In the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as a buffer memory device, or in the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing configuration data, a predetermined potential such as a ground potential is supplied to the wiring SL, for example. Then, when the transistor 24 is turned on, whether the potential is supplied to the wiring RBL through the transistor 23 and the transistor 24 is determined, whereby data stored in the circuit 21 can be read. In that case, before the data is read, the potential of the wiring RBL is initialized by supplying a potential different from that of the wiring SL to the wiring RBL.

In the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing configuration data and has a function of a switch for controlling electrical connection between the plurality of circuits 19 according to configuration data, the wiring RBL is connected to one of the plurality of circuits 19 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the wiring SL is connected to another one of the plurality of circuits 19. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the circuits 19 is controlled according to the data stored in each of the circuits 21 in the cell array 20.

Note that the transistor 22 in each of the circuits 21 in the cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 9 preferably has extremely small off-state current because the transistor 22 has a function of retaining the potential of the gate of the transistor 23. A transistor in which a channel formation region is formed in a film of a semiconductor having a wider band gap and lower intrinsic carrier density than silicon can have extremely small off-state current and thus is preferably used as the transistor 22. Examples of such a semiconductor are an oxide semiconductor and gallium nitride that each have a band gap more than twice as wide as that of silicon. A transistor including the above semiconductor can have significantly smaller off-state current than a transistor formed using a normal semiconductor such as silicon or germanium. Consequently, the use of the transistor 22 having the above structure can prevent leakage of electric charge retained at the gate of the transistor 23.

In the cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 9, when the transistor 22 of each of the circuits 21 is off, the gate of the transistor 23 becomes floating and highly insulated from other electrodes or wirings, so that a boosting effect described below can be expected. Specifically, when the gate of the transistor 23 in the circuit 21 is floating, the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 is increased by a capacitance Cgs generated between the source and the gate of the transistor 23 serving as a switch, as the potential of the wiring RBL changes from a low level to a high level. The increase in the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 depends on the logical value of a potential input to the gate of the transistor 23. Specifically, when the potential of data input to the circuit 21 corresponds to a logical value of “0”, the transistor 23 is in a weak inversion mode; thus, the capacitance Cgs that contributes to an increase in the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 includes a capacitance Cos that is independent of the potential of the gate electrode, that is, the potential of the gate of the transistor 23. Specifically, the capacitance Cos includes overlap capacitance generated in a region where the gate electrode and the source region overlap with each other, and parasitic capacitance generated between the gate electrode and the source electrode, for example. Meanwhile, when the potential of data input to the circuit 21 corresponds to a logical value of “1”, the transistor 23 is in a strong inversion mode; thus, the capacitance Cgs that contributes to an increase in the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 includes, in addition to the capacitance Cos, part of a capacitance Cox generated between a channel formation region and the gate electrode. Thus, the capacitance Cgs that contributes to an increase in the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 is larger when the potential corresponds to the logical value “1” than when the potential corresponds to the logical value “0”. Consequently, the circuit 21 can have a larger boosting effect when the potential corresponds to the logical value “1” than when the potential corresponds to the logical value “0”; by the boosting effect, the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 is increased with a change in the potential of the wiring RBL. Thus, in the case where the potential of data input to the circuit 21 corresponds to the logical value “1”, even when the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 is dropped from the potential of the signal containing the data input to the wirings WBL by the threshold voltage of the transistor 22, the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 can be boosted because of the boosting effect. As a result, the transistor serving as a switch can be turned on and the switching speed of the circuit 21 can be increased. Furthermore, the transistor 23 serving as a switch can be kept off when the potential corresponds to the logical value “0”.

Structural Example of Memory Circuit

Next, a specific structural example of the memory circuit 12 including the cell array 20 will be described.

The memory circuit 12 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a cell array 27 that has the cell arrays 20, a driver circuit 30 that has a function of controlling the supply of potentials to the wirings RWL, a driver circuit 31 that has a function of controlling the supply of signals containing data to the wirings WBL, and a driver circuit 32 that has a function of controlling the supply of potentials to the wirings WWL. Note that s cell arrays 20 (s is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) are provided in the direction that the wirings WBL extend.

Note that the driver circuit 30, the driver circuit 31, or the driver circuit 32 may have another function, or may lack part of the function, for example. Therefore, the driver circuit 30, the driver circuit 31, or the driver circuit 32 may be referred to simply as a circuit, or may be referred to as a first circuit, a second circuit, or the like.

The driver circuit 31 includes a circuit 33 which includes a shift register, a decoder, or the like and which has a function of controlling the timing of sampling a signal Sig containing data; a circuit 34 which has a function of sampling the signal Sig at the timing determined by the circuit 33; and a plurality of switches 35 each of which has a function of controlling the supply of the sampled signal to the wiring WBL. FIG. 10 illustrates the case where a three-state buffer, the impedance of which is set high in accordance with a signal WE, is used as each of the switches 35.

Specifically, in FIG. 10, when the potential of the signal WE is at a high level, the switches 35 supply signals with the same logical values as signals input to input terminals to the wirings WBL. On the other hand, when the potential of the signal WE is at a low level, the switches 35 have high impedance and the signals input to the input terminals are not supplied to the wirings WBL.

In the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as a buffer memory device, or in the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing configuration data, the driver circuit 31 preferably has a structure with which data can be supplied to the cell array 27 in parallel across the data width of the buffer memory device as illustrated in FIG. 10.

The driver circuit 30 controls the potentials of the wirings RWL to select one group 26 that determines the electrical connection between the plurality of wirings RBL and the plurality of wirings SL, from the groups 26 included in each of the cell arrays 20. Furthermore, the driver circuit 30 controls the potentials of the wirings RWL to select one group 26 from which data is read out, from the groups 26 included in each of the cell arrays 20.

The driver circuit 30 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes, specifically, a circuit 36 which has a function of generating signals for selecting one cell array 20 from the plurality of cell arrays 20, and a plurality of circuits 37 which have a function of selecting one group 26 in the selected cell array 20 according to signals input to wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m. As the circuit 36, a decoder can be used, for example. As the circuits 37, AND circuits can be used, for example.

To select one group 26 from the groups 26, which are included in each of the cell arrays 20 storing data containing the circuit structure, in the driver circuit 30 illustrated in FIG. 10, the potentials of all signals output from the circuit 36 are set to a high level and the potential of only the wiring MODE connected to the group 26 to be selected, among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, is set to a high level. Note that with the structure illustrated in FIG. 10, whether the potentials of all the signals output from the circuit 36 are set to a high level is determined depending on a potential supplied from a wiring ALLEN to the circuit 36.

In the driver circuit 30 illustrated in FIG. 10, when a signal containing data on an address, which is supplied from a wiring RADR, is decoded by the circuit 36, one group 26 from which data is read is selected from the groups 26. When one group 26 is selected, the electrical connection between the plurality of wirings RBL and the plurality of wirings SL can be determined. A predetermined potential such as a ground potential is supplied to the wirings SL while one group 26 is selected by the driver circuit 30, whereby data stored in each of the circuits 21 of the selected group 26 can be output to wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n.

The driver circuit 32 controls the potentials of wirings WWL-1 to WWL-sm to select one group 26 to which data is written, from the groups 26 included in each of the cell arrays 20.

The driver circuit 32 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes, specifically, a circuit 38 which has a function of generating signals for selecting one cell array 20 from the plurality of cell arrays 20, and a plurality of circuits 39 which have a function of selecting one group 26 in the selected cell array 20 according to signals input to the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m. As the circuit 38, a decoder can be used, for example. As the circuits 39, AND circuits can be used, for example. In addition, to select one cell array 20 to which data is written, in the driver circuit 32 illustrated in FIG. 10, a signal containing data on an address, which is supplied from a wiring WADR, is decoded by the circuit 38.

Operation Example of Memory Circuit

Next, an example of the operation of the memory circuit 12 in which the semiconductor device 10 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes the memory circuit 12 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 will be described with reference to a timing chart in FIG. 11.

In the timing chart in FIG. 11, a period from time T1 to time T5 corresponds to a period for storing data in the cell array 27. Specifically, in the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing a start-up routine, the above period corresponds to a period for storing data corresponding to the start-up routine in the cell array 27 before stopping the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10. Alternatively, in the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as a buffer memory device, the above period specifically corresponds to a period for storing data in the cell array 27. Alternatively, in the case where the memory circuit 12 has both a function of storing configuration data and a function of a switch for controlling the electrical connection between the plurality of circuits 19 according to the configuration data, the above period specifically corresponds to a period for storing the configuration data.

First, in a period from time T1 to time T2, the signal containing data on an address (hereinafter referred to as an address signal), which is supplied to the wiring WADR, is decoded by the circuit 38. Thus, a high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 38 to the circuits 39 corresponding to the wirings WWL-1 to WWL-m among the plurality of circuits 39. In addition, in the period from time T1 to time T2, a high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-1 among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and a low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-1. By the above operation, a high-level potential is supplied to the wiring WWL-1, whereby the group 26 corresponding to the wiring WWL-1 is selected. A high-level potential is supplied to the wiring WBL-1, and a low-level potential is supplied to the wiring WBL-n, whereby in the above group 26, data “1” is written to the circuit 21 in the first row and the first column, and data “0” is written to the circuit 21 in the first row and the n-th column.

Next, in a period from time T2 to time T3, the address signal, which is supplied to the wiring WADR, is decoded by the circuit 38. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 38 to the circuits 39 corresponding to the wirings WWL-1 to WWL-m among the plurality of circuits 39. In addition, in the period from time T2 to time T3, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-m among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-m. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring WWL-m, whereby the group 26 corresponding to the wiring WWL-m is selected. The low-level potential is supplied to the wiring WBL-1, and the low-level potential is supplied to the wiring WBL-n, whereby in the above group 26, data “0” is written to the circuit 21 in the m-th row and the first column, and data “0” is written to the circuit 21 in the m-th row and the n-th column.

Next, in a period from time T3 to time T4, the address signal, which is supplied to the wiring WADR, is decoded by the circuit 38. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 38 to the circuits 39 corresponding to the wirings WWL-(s−1)m+1 to WWL-sm among the plurality of circuits 39. In addition, in the period from time T3 to time T4, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-1 among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-1. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring WWL-(s−1)m+1, whereby the group 26 corresponding to the wiring WWL-(s−1)m+1 is selected. The low-level potential is supplied to the wiring WBL-1, and the low-level potential is supplied to the wiring WBL-n, whereby in the above group 26, data “0” is written to the circuit 21 in the ((s−1)m+1)-th row and the first column, and data “0” is written to the circuit 21 in the ((s−1)m+1)-th row and the n-th column.

Next, in a period from time T4 to time T5, the address signal, which is supplied to the wiring WADR, is decoded by the circuit 38. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 38 to the circuits 39 corresponding to the wirings WWL-(s−1)m+1 to WWL-sm among the plurality of circuits 39. In addition, in the period from time T4 to time T5, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-m among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-m. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring WWL-sm, whereby the group 26 corresponding to the wiring WWL-sm is selected. The low-level potential is supplied to the wiring WBL-1, and the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring WBL-n, whereby in the above group 26, data “0” is written to the circuit 21 in the sm-th row and the first column, and data “1” is written to the circuit 21 in the sm-th row and the n-th column.

In the timing chart in FIG. 11, in the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of a switch for controlling the electrical connection between the plurality of circuits 19, a period from time T6 to time T8 corresponds to a period where the plurality of circuits 19 operate according to configuration data. Note that the case where output signals from the circuits 19 are supplied to the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n and the potentials of the wirings SL-1 to SL-n are supplied as input signals to the circuits 19 is described below as one example.

First, in a period from time T6 to time T7, a high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 36 to all the circuits 37. The high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-1 among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-1. By the above operation, a high-level potential is supplied to the wirings RWL whose potentials are controlled by the circuits 37 corresponding to the wiring MODE-1. Thus, the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings RWL-1, RWL-(m+1), RWL-(s−1)m+1, and the like are selected, and the plurality of circuits 19 operate according to the configuration data stored in the circuits 21 in these groups 26.

Next, in a period from time T7 to time T8, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 36 to all the circuits 37. The high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-m among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-m. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings RWL whose potentials are controlled by the circuits 37 corresponding to the wiring MODE-m. Thus, the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings RWL-m, RWL-2 m, RWL-sm, and the like are selected, and the plurality of circuits 19 operate according to the configuration data stored in the circuits 21 in these groups 26.

Next, in the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing a start-up routine, a period from time T9 to time T13 corresponds to a period for reading data stored in the cell array 27. In the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as a buffer memory device, the period from time T9 to time T13 corresponds to a period for reading data stored in the cell array 27. Note that in either case, after time T5, the above-described operation in the period from time T6 to time T8 is not performed and the operation in the period from time T9 to time T13 is performed. In addition, in either case, in the period from time T9 to time T13, the low-level potential is supplied to the wirings SL-1 to SL-n.

First, in a period from time T9 to time T10, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n are initialized by supplying a potential different from the potential supplied to the wirings SL-1 to SL-n, such as a high-level potential, to the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n. Then, the address signal supplied to the wiring RADR is decoded by the circuit 36. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 36 to the circuits 37 corresponding to the wirings RWL-1 to RWL-m among the plurality of circuits 37. In addition, in the period from time T9 to time T10, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-1 among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-1. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring RWL-1, whereby the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-1 is selected. Since the data “1” and the data “0” are written respectively to the circuit 21 in the first row and the first column and the circuit 21 in the first row and the n-th column in the period from time T1 to time T2, when the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-1 is selected, the low-level potential is supplied to the wiring RBL-1 from the wiring SL-1, and the high-level potential is maintained at the wiring RBL-n. That is, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n depend on the data stored in the circuits 21; thus, data stored in the circuits 21 in the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-1 can be determined from the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n.

Next, in a period from time T10 to time T11, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n are initialized by supplying a potential different from the potential supplied to the wirings SL-1 to SL-n, such as a high-level potential, to the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n. Then, the address signal supplied to the wiring RADR is decoded by the circuit 36. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 36 to the circuits 37 corresponding to the wirings RWL-1 to RWL-m among the plurality of circuits 37. In addition, in the period from time T10 to time T11, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-m among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-m. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring RWL-m, whereby the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-m is selected. Since the data “0” and the data “0” are written respectively to the circuit 21 in the m-th row and the first column and the circuit 21 in the m-th row and the n-th column in the period from time T2 to time T3, when the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-m is selected, the high-level potential is maintained at the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n. That is, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n depend on the data stored in the circuits 21; thus, data stored in the circuits 21 in the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-m can be determined from the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n.

Next, in a period from time T11 to time T12, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n are initialized by supplying a potential different from the potential supplied to the wirings SL-1 to SL-n, such as a high-level potential, to the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n. Then, the address signal supplied to the wiring RADR is decoded by the circuit 36. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 36 to the circuits 37 corresponding to the wirings RWL-(s−1)m+1 to RWL-sm among the plurality of circuits 37. In addition, in the period from time T11 to time T12, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-1 among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-1. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring RWL-(s−1)m+1, whereby the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-(s−1)m+1 is selected. Since the data “0” and the data “0” are written respectively to the circuit 21 in the ((s−1)m+1)-th row and the first column and the circuit 21 in the ((s−1)m+1)-th row and the n-th column in the period from time T3 to time T4, when the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-(s−1)m+1 is selected, the high-level potential is maintained at the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n. That is, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n depend on the data stored in the circuits 21; thus, data stored in the circuits 21 in the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-(s−1)m+1 can be determined from the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n.

Next, in a period from time T12 to time T13, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n are initialized by supplying a potential different from the potential supplied to the wirings SL-1 to SL-n, such as a high-level potential, to the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n. Then, the address signal supplied to the wiring RADR is decoded by the circuit 36. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 36 to the circuits 37 corresponding to the wirings RWL-(s−1)m+1 to RWL-sm among the plurality of circuits 37. In addition, in the period from time T12 to time T13, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring MODE-m among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wiring MODE-m. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wiring RWL-sm, whereby the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-sm is selected. Since the data “0” and the data “1” are written respectively to the circuit 21 in the sm-th row and the first column and the circuit 21 in the sm-th row and the n-th column in the period from time T4 to time T5, when the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-sm is selected, the high-level potential is maintained at the wiring RBL-1, and the low-level potential is supplied to the wiring RBL-n from the wiring SL-n. That is, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n depend on the data stored in the circuits 21; thus, data stored in the circuits 21 in the group 26 corresponding to the wiring RWL-sm can be determined from the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n.

In the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 11, in the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as a buffer memory device, a period from time T14 to time T19 corresponds to a period for writing data to the memory circuit 12 and a period for reading data from the memory circuit 12. Note that the timing chart in FIG. 11 shows an example where a method for writing data to the memory circuit 12 in the period from time T1 to time T5 differs from a method for writing data to the memory circuit 12 in a period from time T14 to time T16. In addition, the timing chart in FIG. 11 shows an example where a method for reading data from the memory circuit 12 in the period from time T9 to time T13 differs from a method for reading data from the memory circuit 12 in a period from time T17 to time T19.

First, in a period from time T14 to time T15, the address signal supplied to the wiring WADR is decoded by the circuit 38. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 38 to the circuits 39 corresponding to the wirings WWL-1 to WWL-m among the plurality of circuits 39. In addition, in the period from time T14 to time T15, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings WWL-1 and WWL-m, whereby the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings WWL-1 and WWL-m are selected. The high-level potential and the low-level potential are supplied to the wiring WBL-1 and the wiring WBL-n respectively, whereby in the above groups 26, data “1” is written to the circuits 21 in the first and m-th rows and the first column, and data “0” is written to the circuits 21 in the first and m-th rows and the n-th column.

Next, in a period from time T15 to time T16, the address signal supplied to the wiring WADR is decoded by the circuit 38. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 38 to the circuits 39 corresponding to the wirings WWL-(s−1)m+1 to WWL-sm among the plurality of circuits 39. In addition, in the period from time T15 to time T16, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m among the wirings MODE-1 to MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings WWL-(s−1)m+1 and WWL-sm, whereby the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings WWL-(s−1)m+1 and WWL-sm are selected. The low-level potential and the high-level potential are supplied to the wiring WBL-1 and the wiring WBL-n respectively, whereby in the above groups 26, data “0” is written to the circuits 21 in the ((s−1)m+1)-th and sm-th rows and the first column, and data “1” is written to the circuits 21 in the ((s−1)m+1)-th and sm-th rows and the n-th column.

Next, in a period from time T17 to time T18, the low-level potential is supplied to the wirings SL-1 to SL-n. In addition, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n are initialized by supplying a potential different from the potential supplied to the wirings SL-1 to SL-n, such as a high-level potential, to the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n. Furthermore, the address signal supplied to the wiring RADR is decoded by the circuit 36. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 36 to the circuits 37 corresponding to the wirings RWL-1 to RWL-m among the plurality of circuits 37. In addition, in the period from time T17 to time T18, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings RWL-1 and RWL-m, whereby the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings RWL-1 and RWL-m are selected. Since the data “1” and the data “0” are written respectively to the circuits 21 in the first and m-th rows and the first column and the circuits 21 in the first and m-th rows and the n-th column in the period from time T14 to time T15, when the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings RWL-1 and RWL-m are selected, the low-level potential is supplied to the wiring RBL-1 from the wiring SL-1, and the high-level potential is maintained at the wiring RBL-n. That is, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n depend on the data stored in the circuits 21; thus, data stored in the circuits 21 in the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings RWL-1 and RWL-m can be determined from the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n.

In the period from time T17 to time T18, unlike in the case where data is read from the memory circuit 12 in the period from time T9 to time T13, the low-level potential is supplied to the wiring RBL-1 from the wiring SL-1 through the plurality of circuits 21, specifically, the circuit 21 in the first row and the first column and the circuit 21 in the m-th row and the first column. Thus, the potential of the wiring RBL-1 can be changed from the high level to the low level more rapidly than in data reading in the period from time T9 to time T13; thus, data “1” can be read rapidly.

Next, in a period from time T18 to time T19, the low-level potential is supplied to the wirings SL-1 to SL-n. In addition, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n are initialized by supplying a potential different from the potential supplied to the wirings SL-1 to SL-n, such as a high-level potential, to the wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n. Furthermore, the address signal supplied to the wiring RADR is decoded by the circuit 36. Thus, the high-level potential is supplied from the circuit 36 to the circuits 37 corresponding to the wirings RWL-(s−1)m+1 to RWL-sm among the plurality of circuits 37. In addition, in the period from time T18 to time T19, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m, and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m. By the above operation, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings RWL-(s−1)m+1 and RWL-sm, whereby the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings RWL-(s−1)m+1 and RWL-sm are selected. Since the data “0” and the data “1” are written respectively to the circuits 21 in the ((s−1)m+1)-th and sm-th rows and the first column and the circuits 21 in the ((s−1)m+1)-th and sm-th rows and the n-th column in the period from time T15 to time T16, when the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings RWL-(s−1)m+1 and RWL-sm are selected, the high-level potential is maintained at the wiring RBL-1, and the low-level potential is supplied to the wiring RBL-n from the wiring SL-n. That is, the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n depend on the data stored in the circuits 21; thus, data stored in the circuits 21 in the groups 26 corresponding to the wirings RWL-(s−1)m+1 and RWL-sm can be determined from the potentials of the wirings RBL-1 and RBL-n.

In the period from time T18 to time T19, unlike in the case where data is read from the memory circuit 12 in the period from time T9 to time T13, the low-level potential is supplied to the wiring RBL-n from the wiring SL-n through the plurality of circuits 21, specifically, the circuit 21 in the ((s−1)m+1)-th row and the n-th column and the circuit 21 in the sm-th row and the n-th column. Thus, the potential of the wiring RBL-n can be changed from the high level to the low level more rapidly than in data reading in the period from time T9 to time T13; thus, data “1” can be read rapidly.

Note that the timing chart in FIG. 11 shows an example where in the period from time T14 to time T16 or in the period from time T17 to time T19, in order to select the groups 26, the high-level potential is supplied to the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m and the low-level potential is supplied to all the wirings MODE except the wirings MODE-1 and MODE-m. Note that in one embodiment of the present invention, in order to select a plurality of groups 26 in the period for writing data or in the period for reading data, the high-level potential is supplied to some of all the wirings MODE. The number and choice of the wirings MODE to which the high-level potential is supplied can be set by a designer as appropriate.

Structural Example 2 of Cell Array

Next, a structural example of a cell array 20 included in the memory circuit 12, which is different from that in FIG. 9, will be described.

The cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a plurality of wirings WBL represented as wirings WBL-1 to WBL-n, a plurality of wirings RBL represented as wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n, a plurality of wirings SL represented as wirings SL-1 to SL-n, a plurality of wirings WWL represented as wirings WWL-1 to WWL-m, and a plurality of wirings RWL represented as wirings RWL-1 to RWL-m. The cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 12 also includes (n×m) circuits 21. Each of the circuits 21 at least includes a transistor 22, a transistor 23, and a capacitor 25.

The (n×m) circuits 21 are divided into m groups 26, each of which is connected to a wiring WWL-j and a wiring RWL-j and includes n circuits 21. In FIG. 12, the m groups 26 are shown as groups 26-1 to 26-m.

Specifically, in the circuit 21 in the j-th row and the i-th column, a gate of the transistor 22 is electrically connected to the wiring WWL-j. One of a source and a drain of the transistor 22 is electrically connected to a wiring WBL-i and the other is electrically connected to a gate of the transistor 23. One of a source and a drain of the transistor 23 is electrically connected to a wiring RBL-i and the other is electrically connected to a wiring SL-i.

One terminal of the capacitor 25 is electrically connected to the gate of the transistor 23 and the other terminal of the capacitor 25 is electrically connected to the wiring RWL-j.

Each of the circuits 21 may also include another circuit element such as a transistor, a diode, a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, or the like as necessary.

In each of the circuits 21 included in the cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 12, when the potential of a signal containing data is supplied to the wiring WBL while the transistor 22 is on, the potential is supplied to the gate of the transistor 23 through the transistor 22. Then, the transistor 22 is turned off, whereby the potential supplied to the gate of the transistor 23 is retained. The capacitor 25 retains the potential of the gate of the transistor 23, and adds the amount of change in the potential of the wiring RWL to the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 while keeping the gate of the transistor 23 floating. The transistor 23 is turned on or off depending on the potential of the wiring RWL and the potential of the gate which reflects the data.

When the transistor 23 is on, the wiring RBL and the wiring SL are electrically connected to each other. In the case where the transistor 23 is off, the wiring RBL and the wiring SL are electrically isolated from each other. This means that the electrical connection between the plurality of wirings RBL and the plurality of wirings SL is determined depending on the potential of the signal containing data stored in each of the circuits 21.

In the case where the memory circuit 12 functions as a buffer memory device, or in the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing configuration data, a predetermined potential such as a ground potential is supplied to the wiring SL, for example. Then, when the potential of the wiring RWL is changed, whether the potential is supplied to the wiring RBL through the transistor 23 is determined, whereby data stored in the circuit 21 can be read. In that case, before the data is read, the potential of the wiring RBL is initialized by supplying a potential different from that of the wiring SL to the wiring RBL.

In the case where the memory circuit 12 has a function of storing configuration data and has a function of a switch for controlling electrical connection between the plurality of circuits 19 according to configuration data, the wiring RBL is connected to one of the plurality of circuits 19 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the wiring SL is connected to another one of the plurality of circuits 19. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the circuits 19 is controlled according to the data stored in each of the circuits 21 in the cell array 20.

Note that the transistor 22 in each of the circuits 21 in the cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 12 preferably has extremely small off-state current because the transistor 22 has a function of retaining the potential of the gate of the transistor 23. A transistor in which a channel formation region is formed in a film of a semiconductor having a wider band gap and lower intrinsic carrier density than silicon can have extremely small off-state current and thus is preferably used as the transistor 22. Examples of such a semiconductor are an oxide semiconductor and gallium nitride that each have a band gap more than twice as wide as that of silicon. A transistor including the above semiconductor can have significantly smaller off-state current than a transistor formed using a normal semiconductor such as silicon or germanium. Consequently, the use of the transistor 22 having the above structure can prevent leakage of electric charge retained at the gate of the transistor 23.

Structural Example 3 of Cell Array

Next, a specific structural example of a cell array 20 included in the memory circuit 12, which is different from those in FIGS. 9 and 12, will be described.

Like the cell array 20 in FIG. 9, the cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 13 includes a plurality of wirings WBL represented as wirings WBL-1 to WBL-n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), a plurality of wirings RBL represented as wirings RBL-1 to RBL-n, a plurality of wirings SL represented as wirings SL-1 to SL-n, a plurality of wirings WWL represented as wirings WWL-1 to WWL-m (m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), and a plurality of wirings RWL represented as wirings RWL-1 to RWL-m. The cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 13 also includes (n×m) circuits 21. Each of the circuits 21 at least includes a transistor 22, a transistor 23, and a transistor 24. The cell array 20 illustrated in FIG. 13 differs from the cell array 20 in FIG. 9 in that a circuit 63 and a circuit 64 for retaining the potential of a gate of the transistor 23 are provided.

The circuits 63 and 64 invert the polarity of a potential and can be inverters or the like. Specifically, in FIG. 13, an input terminal of the circuit 63 and an output terminal of the circuit 64 are electrically connected to the gate of the transistor 23, and an output terminal of the circuit 63 and an input terminal of the circuit 64 are electrically connected to each other. Since each of the circuits 21 illustrated in FIG. 13 has the above structure, the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 can be retained by the circuits 63 and 64.

Note that FIG. 13 shows the case where the transistor 24 is electrically connected between the other of the source and the drain of the transistor 23 and the wiring SL. The transistor 24 may be electrically connected between one of the source and the drain of the transistor 23 and the wiring RBL.

Operation Example 2 of Semiconductor Device

Next, an operation example of the semiconductor device 10 described above will be described using a flowchart in FIG. 21.

Unlike FIG. 2, FIG. 21 shows an example where a start-up routine is not required. A simplified description will be given below to avoid repetition of the above description; the above-described structural example or operation example can be employed as appropriate.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is started (A01).

Here, in the case where power is supplied for the first time to the semiconductor device 10 (first-time operation), the semiconductor device 10 is initialized by conducting a start-up routine process (A03 and A05). The first-time operation refers to an operation performed for the first time after the semiconductor device 10 is manufactured or shipped. The first-time operation is not limited to the operation performed for the first time and may refer to an operation performed again after data in the memory circuit 12 is initialized. In the case where a user deliberately executes the start-up routine, this operation may be referred to as first-time operation.

Next, as normal operation, the memory circuit 12 functions as a buffer memory device, a circuit for storing configuration data, or a switch for controlling electrical connection between a plurality of circuits according to configuration data (A06 and A07). For the start-up routine and the normal operation, the above-described operation example can be referred to.

Next, when the stop of the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is started, data in the memory circuit 12 is retained (A08 and A09). The memory circuit 12 can retain a variety of data on settings set before the stop of power supply, such as configuration data. In a state where the data are stored in the memory circuit 12, the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is stopped, and the first-time operation is completed (A10).

In this manner, data are stored in the memory circuit 12 before the first-time operation is completed, so that the settings of the semiconductor device 10 can be preserved during the stop of power supply.

Next, in a state where the settings set before the stop of power supply are retained in the semiconductor device 10, the supply of power to the semiconductor device 10 is resumed (re-operation). Therefore, according to the data stored in the memory circuit 12, the semiconductor device 10 can perform normal operation based on the settings set before the stop of power supply.

In the re-operation, as in the first-time operation, the normal operation is performed, and the supply of power is stopped after a variety of data on the settings are stored in the memory circuit 12. Thus, the settings of the semiconductor device 10 can be preserved during the stop of power supply.

By repetition of operations similar to the re-operation, when the supply of power is resumed, the semiconductor device 10 can perform operations based on the settings set before the stop of power supply. Consequently, an operation such as executing a start-up routine or reading the settings set before the stop of power supply is not required, which enables the speed of the semiconductor device 10 to increase drastically.

The semiconductor device 10 may have a unit for determining whether an operation is performed for the first time. For example, a counter may be used to count the number of times the semiconductor device 10 is booted. The counter may be provided either inside or outside the semiconductor device 10. Alternatively, the PMU 13 described in the above operation example may be used to measure the time of stop of power supply, and in the case where the time of stop is longer than a preset period, an operation may be determined to be the first-time operation. This is because when the supply of power is stopped for a long time, data in the memory circuit 12 might be initialized and a start-up routine might be needed.

An operation example in which the circuit illustrated in FIG. 9, 12, or 13 or the like is used as the memory circuit 12 will be described below.

In FIG. 21, after the normal operation, the stop of power supply to the semiconductor device 10 is started (A08). Before the stop of power supply to the semiconductor device 10, a potential for turning off the transistor 22 in FIG. 9, 12, or 13 is supplied to the wirings WWL-1 to WWL-m. In a state where the transistor 22 is off, the potential of the gate of the transistor 23 is retained, whereby data can be retained in the memory circuit 12. This enables the settings of the semiconductor device 10 to be retained even during the stop of power supply.

It is preferable that the memory circuit 12 be capable of retaining data for as long a time as possible. In this regard, it is preferable that the current which flows when the transistor 22 is off (off-state current) be small. As a transistor whose off-state current is small, a transistor containing the above-described oxide semiconductor is preferable. The memory circuit 12 including the transistor containing the oxide semiconductor can retain data for a long time. Note that silicon or the like may be used for the transistor 22 as described above. For the transistor 23 and the transistor 24, an oxide semiconductor, silicon, or the like can be used as described above. When an oxide semiconductor is used for the transistor 23 and the transistor 24, off-state current can be decreased, and when silicon or the like is used, current drive capability can be improved. Different materials may be used for the transistor 23 and the transistor 24.

Note that the first-time operation and the re-operation are also referred to simply as operations. By using ordinal numbers, these operations may be expressed as a first operation and a second operation. The initialization based on the start-up routine and the settings set before the stop of power supply are also referred to simply as settings. By using ordinal numbers, these settings may be expressed as a first setting and a second setting.

The semiconductor device is also referred to simply as a device. Note that the expression “device” includes all objects at the manufacturing stage, such as an element itself, a panel, a module, and an electronic device. The device may, but does not necessarily, contain a semiconductor. The device may, but does not necessarily, include a display portion.

Although the example in which the circuit in FIG. 9, 12, or 13 or the like is used as the memory circuit 12 to achieve the operation in FIG. 2 or 21 is described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the memory circuit may include a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a phase-change memory (PCM), a resistive RAM (ReRAM), a magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), or the like. For the MRAM, a magnetic tunnel junction element (MTJ element) can be used, for example.

<Structural Example of Circuit 19>

Next, an example of a structure of the logic circuit 18 in FIG. 5 is illustrated in FIG. 14. Input or output terminals of the plurality of circuits 19 in the logic circuit 18 are electrically connected to a plurality of wirings 42. The plurality of wirings 42 in the logic circuit 18 are electrically connected to switches SW having a function of controlling electrical connection between the wirings 42. The electrical connection between the circuits 19 is controlled with the plurality of wirings 42 and the switches SW.

Note that the plurality of circuits 19 may be electrically connected to wirings having a function of supplying a signal CLK or a signal RES to the circuits 19, in addition to the plurality of wirings 42. The signal CLK can be used to control the timing of signal output from a flip-flop of the circuit 19, for example. The signal RES can be used to control the timing of initialization of data stored in the flip-flop of the circuit 19, for example.

FIG. 15A illustrates one embodiment of the circuit 19. The circuit 19 in FIG. 15A includes a look-up table (LUT) 43 and a flip-flop 44. In the circuit 19 in FIG. 15A, configuration data stored in the memory circuit 12 is supplied to the LUT 43 through a terminal 53. In the LUT 43, the logical value of an output signal with respect to the logical value of an input signal that is input to an input terminal 45 is determined according to configuration data. The flip-flop 44 retains data contained in the output signal of the LUT 43 and outputs an output signal corresponding to the data in synchronization with a signal CLK from an output terminal 46.

The type of the flip-flop 44 may be determined by the configuration data. Specifically, the flip-flop 44 may have a function of any of a D flip-flop, a T flip-flop, a JK flip-flop, and an RS flip-flop according to the configuration data.

FIG. 15B illustrates another embodiment of the circuit 19. The circuit 19 illustrated in FIG. 15B includes an AND circuit 47 in addition to the components of the circuit 19 in FIG. 15A. To the AND circuit 47, a signal from the flip-flop 44 is supplied as an active high input, and the potential of a signal NIT is supplied as an active low input. With the above structure, the potential of the output terminal 46 can be initialized depending on the potential of the signal NIT.

FIG. 15C illustrates another embodiment of the circuit 19. The circuit 19 in FIG. 15C includes a multiplexer 48 in addition to the components of the circuit 19 in FIG. 15A. In the circuit 19 in FIG. 15C, configuration data stored in the memory circuit 12 is supplied to the multiplexer 48 through a terminal 49.

In the LUT 43, the logical value of an output signal with respect to the logical value of an input signal is determined according to configuration data. A signal output from the LUT 43 and a signal output from the flip-flop 44 are input to the multiplexer 48. The multiplexer 48 has functions of selecting and outputting one of the two output signals in accordance with configuration data. The signal output from the multiplexer 48 is output from the output terminal 46.

FIG. 15D illustrates another embodiment of the circuit 19. The circuit 19 in FIG. 15D includes a multiplexer 50 in addition to the components of the circuit 19 in FIG. 15C. In the circuit 19 in FIG. 15D, configuration data stored in the memory circuit 12 is supplied to the multiplexer 50 through a terminal 51.

A signal output from the LUT 43 and a signal output from the flip-flop 44 of another circuit 19 and input through a terminal 52 are input to the multiplexer 50. The multiplexer 50 has functions of selecting and outputting one of the two output signals in accordance with configuration data.

Example of Cross-Sectional Structure of Semiconductor Device

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a cross-sectional structure of a semiconductor device including the circuit 21 in FIG. 9. A region along dashed line A1-A2 shows a structure of the transistors 22 and 23 in the channel length direction, and a region along dashed line A3-A4 shows a structure of the transistors 22 and 23 in the channel width direction. Note that in one embodiment of the present invention, the channel length direction of the transistor 22 is not necessarily aligned with the channel length direction of the transistor 23.

The channel length direction refers to a direction in which a carrier moves between a pair of impurity regions functioning as a source region and a drain region by the most direct way, and the channel width direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the channel length direction in a plane parallel to a substrate.

In FIG. 16, the transistor 22 including a channel formation region in an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the transistor 23 including a channel formation region in a single crystal silicon substrate.

The transistor 23 may include the channel formation region in a semiconductor film or a semiconductor substrate of silicon, germanium, or the like in an amorphous, microcrystalline, polycrystalline, or single crystal state. Alternatively, the transistor 23 may include the channel formation region in an oxide semiconductor film or an oxide semiconductor substrate. In the case where the transistors each include a channel formation region in an oxide semiconductor film or an oxide semiconductor substrate, the transistor 22 is not necessarily stacked over the transistor 23, and the transistors 22 and 23 may be formed in the same layer.

In the case where the transistor 23 is formed using a thin silicon film, any of the following can be used in the thin film: amorphous silicon formed by a sputtering method or a vapor phase growth method such as a plasma-enhanced CVD method; polycrystalline silicon obtained by crystallization of amorphous silicon by treatment such as laser annealing; single crystal silicon obtained by separation of a surface portion of a single crystal silicon wafer by implantation of hydrogen ions or the like into the silicon wafer; and the like.

A substrate 400 where the transistor 23 is formed can be, for example, a silicon substrate, a germanium substrate, or a silicon germanium substrate. In FIG. 16, a single crystal silicon substrate is used as the substrate 400.

The transistor 23 is electrically isolated by an element isolation method. As the element isolation method, a trench isolation method (a shallow trench isolation (STI) method) or the like can be used. FIG. 16 illustrates an example where the trench isolation method is used to electrically isolate the transistor 23. Specifically, in FIG. 16, the transistor 23 is electrically isolated by element isolation using an element isolation region 401 formed in such a manner that an insulator including silicon oxide or the like is buried in a trench formed in the substrate 400 by etching or the like and then the insulator is removed partly by etching or the like.

In a projection of the substrate 400 that exists in a region other than the trench, an impurity region 402 and an impurity region 403 of the transistor 23 and a channel formation region 404 placed between the impurity regions 402 and 403 are provided. Further, the transistor 23 includes an insulating film 405 covering the channel formation region 404 and a gate electrode 406 that overlaps with the channel formation region 404 with the insulating film 405 provided therebetween.

In the transistor 23, a side portion and an upper portion of the projection in the channel formation region 404 overlap with the gate electrode 406 with the insulating film 405 positioned therebetween, so that carriers flow in a wide area including the side portion and the upper portion of the channel formation region 404. Therefore, an area over the substrate occupied by the transistor 23 can be reduced, and the number of transferred carriers in the transistor 23 can be increased. As a result, the on-state current and field-effect mobility of the transistor 23 are increased. Suppose the length in the channel width direction (channel width) of the projection in the channel formation region 404 is W, and the thickness of the projection in the channel formation region 404 is T. When the aspect ratio of the thickness T to the channel width W is high, a region where carriers flow becomes larger. Thus, the on-state current of the transistor 23 can be further increased and the field-effect mobility of the transistor 23 can be further increased.

Note that when the transistor 23 is formed using a bulk semiconductor substrate, the aspect ratio is preferably 0.5 or more, further preferably 1 or more.

An insulating film 411 is provided over the transistor 23. Openings are formed in the insulating film 411. Conductive films 412 and 413 that are electrically connected to the impurity regions 402 and 403, respectively, and a conductive film 414 that is electrically connected to the gate electrode 406 are formed in the openings.

The conductive film 412 is electrically connected to a conductive film 416 formed over the insulating film 411. The conductive film 413 is electrically connected to a conductive film 417 formed over the insulating film 411. The conductive film 414 is electrically connected to a conductive film 418 formed over the insulating film 411.

An insulating film 420 is provided over the conductive films 416 to 418. An insulating film 421 having a blocking effect of preventing diffusion of oxygen, hydrogen, and water is provided over the insulating film 420. As the insulating film 421 has higher density and becomes denser or has a fewer dangling bonds and becomes more chemically stable, the insulating film 421 has a higher blocking effect. The insulating film 421 that has the effect of blocking diffusion of oxygen, hydrogen, and water can be formed using, for example, aluminum oxide, aluminum oxynitride, gallium oxide, gallium oxynitride, yttrium oxide, yttrium oxynitride, hafnium oxide, or hafnium oxynitride. The insulating film 421 having an effect of blocking diffusion of hydrogen and water can be formed using, for example, silicon nitride or silicon nitride oxide.

An insulating film 422 is provided over the insulating film 421, and the transistor 22 is provided over the insulating film 422.

The transistor 22 includes, over the insulating film 422, a semiconductor film 430 including an oxide semiconductor, conductive films 432 and 433 functioning as source and drain electrodes and electrically connected to the semiconductor film 430, a gate insulating film 431 covering the semiconductor film 430, and a gate electrode 434 overlapping with the semiconductor film 430 with the gate insulating film 431 positioned therebetween. Note that an opening is formed in the insulating films 420 to 422. The conductive film 433 is connected to the conductive film 418 in the opening.

Note that in FIG. 16, the transistor 22 includes at least the gate electrode 434 on one side of the semiconductor film 430, and may further include a gate electrode overlapping with the semiconductor film 430 with the insulating film 422 positioned therebetween.

In the case where the transistor 22 has a pair of gate electrodes, one of the gate electrodes may be supplied with a signal for controlling the on/off state, and the other of the gate electrodes may be supplied with a potential from another element. In this case, potentials with the same level may be supplied to the pair of gate electrodes, or a fixed potential such as the ground potential may be supplied only to the other of the gate electrodes. By controlling the level of a potential supplied to the other of the gate electrodes, the threshold voltage of the transistor can be controlled.

In FIG. 16, the transistor 22 has a single-gate structure where one channel formation region corresponding to one gate electrode 434 is provided. However, the transistor 22 may have a multi-gate structure where a plurality of electrically connected gate electrodes are provided so that a plurality of channel formation regions are included in one active layer.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example in which the semiconductor film 430 included in the transistor 22 includes oxide semiconductor films 430 a to 430 c that are stacked in this order over the insulating film 422. Note that in one embodiment of the present invention, the semiconductor film 430 of the transistor 22 may be formed using a single-layer metal oxide film.

<Transistor>

Next, an example of a structure of a transistor 90 that includes a channel formation region in an oxide semiconductor film is described.

FIGS. 17A to 17C illustrate a structure of the transistor 90 that includes a channel formation region in an oxide semiconductor film as an example. FIG. 17A is a top view of the transistor 90. Note that insulating films are not illustrated in FIG. 17A in order to clarify the layout of the transistor 90. FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view along the dashed line A1-A2 in the top view in FIG. 17A. FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view along the dashed line A3-A4 in the top view in FIG. 17A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17A to 17C, the transistor 90 includes an oxide semiconductor film 92 a and an oxide semiconductor film 92 b that are stacked in this order over an insulating film 91 formed over a substrate 97; a conductive film 93 and a conductive film 94 that are electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 92 b and function as a source electrode and a drain electrode; an oxide semiconductor film 92 c over the oxide semiconductor film 92 b, the conductive film 93, and the conductive film 94; an insulating film 95 that functions as a gate insulating film and is located over the oxide semiconductor film 92 c; and a conductive film 96 that functions as a gate electrode, lies over the insulating film 95, and overlaps with the oxide semiconductor films 92 a to 92 c. Note that the substrate 97 may be a glass substrate, a semiconductor substrate, or the like or may be an element substrate where semiconductor elements are formed over a glass substrate or on a semiconductor substrate.

FIGS. 18A to 18C illustrate another specific example of the structure of the transistor 90. FIG. 18A is a top view of the transistor 90. Note that insulating films are not illustrated in FIG. 18A in order to clarify the layout of the transistor 90. FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view along the dashed line A1-A2 in the top view in FIG. 18A. FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional view along the dashed line A3-A4 in the top view in FIG. 18A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18A to 18C, the transistor 90 includes the oxide semiconductor films 92 a to 92 c that are stacked in this order over the insulating film 91; the conductive films 93 and 94 that are electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 92 c and function as a source electrode and a drain electrode; the insulating film 95 that functions as a gate insulating film and is located over the oxide semiconductor film 92 c and the conductive films 93 and 94; and the conductive film 96 that functions as a gate electrode, lies over the insulating film 95, and overlaps with the oxide semiconductor films 92 a to 92 c.

FIGS. 17A to 17C and FIGS. 18A to 18C each illustrate the structural example of the transistor 90 in which the oxide semiconductor films 92 a to 92 c are stacked. However, the structure of the oxide semiconductor film included in the transistor 90 is not limited to a stacked-layer structure including a plurality of oxide semiconductor films and may be a single-layer structure.

In the case where the transistor 90 includes the semiconductor film in which the semiconductor films 92 a to 92 c are stacked in this order, each of the oxide semiconductor films 92 a and 92 c is an oxide film that contains at least one of metal elements contained in the oxide semiconductor film 92 b and in which energy at the conduction band minimum is closer to the vacuum level than that in the oxide semiconductor film 92 b is by higher than or equal to 0.05 eV, 0.07 eV, 0.1 eV, or 0.15 eV and lower than or equal to 2 eV, 1 eV, 0.5 eV, or 0.4 eV. The oxide semiconductor film 92 b preferably contains at least indium because carrier mobility is increased.

In the case where the transistor 90 includes the semiconductor films with the above structure, when an electric field is applied to the semiconductor films by applying voltage to the gate electrode, a channel region is formed in the oxide semiconductor film 92 b, which has the lowest conduction band minimum among the semiconductor films. That is, since the oxide semiconductor film 92 c is provided between the oxide semiconductor film 92 b and the insulating film 95, a channel region can be formed in the oxide semiconductor film 92 b, which is separated from the insulating film 95.

Since the oxide semiconductor film 92 c contains at least one of metal elements contained in the oxide semiconductor film 92 b, interface scattering is unlikely to occur at the interface between the oxide semiconductor film 92 b and the oxide semiconductor film 92 c. Thus, the movement of carriers is unlikely to be inhibited at the interface, which results in an increase in the field-effect mobility of the transistor 90.

When an interface state is formed at an interface between the oxide semiconductor films 92 b and 92 a, a channel region is also formed in a region close to the interface; thus, the threshold voltage of the transistor 90 varies. However, since the oxide semiconductor film 92 a contains at least one of metal elements contained in the oxide semiconductor film 92 b, an interface state is unlikely to be formed at the interface between the oxide semiconductor film 92 b and the oxide semiconductor film 92 a. Accordingly, the above structure can reduce variations in electrical characteristics of the transistor 90, such as the threshold voltage.

Further, it is preferable that a plurality of oxide semiconductor films be stacked so that an interface state due to an impurity existing between the oxide semiconductor films, which inhibits carrier flow, is not formed at an interface between the oxide semiconductor films. This is because when an impurity exists between the stacked oxide semiconductor films, the energy continuity of the conduction band minimum between the oxide semiconductor films is lost, and carriers are trapped or disappear by recombination in the vicinity of the interface. By reducing an impurity existing between the films, a continuous junction (here, in particular, a well structure having a U shape in which the conduction band minimum is changed continuously between the films) is formed easily as compared with the case of merely stacking the plurality of oxide semiconductor films which contain at least one common metal as a main component.

In order to form such a continuous junction, it is necessary to form films continuously without being exposed to air, with use of a multi-chamber deposition apparatus (sputtering apparatus) including a load lock chamber. Each chamber in the sputtering apparatus is preferably subjected to high vacuum evacuation (to a vacuum of about 5×10⁻⁷ Pa to 1×10⁻⁴ Pa) with use of a suction vacuum evacuation pump such as a cryopump so that water or the like, which is an impurity for an oxide semiconductor, is removed as much as possible. Alternatively, a turbo molecular pump and a cold trap are preferably used in combination to prevent backflow of gas into the chamber through an evacuation system.

To obtain a highly purified intrinsic oxide semiconductor, not only high vacuum evacuation of the chambers but also high purification of a gas used in the sputtering is important. When an oxygen gas or an argon gas used as the above gas has a dew point of −40° C. or lower, preferably −80° C. or lower, further preferably −100° C. or lower and is highly purified, moisture and the like can be prevented from entering the oxide semiconductor film as much as possible. Specifically, in the case where the oxide semiconductor film 92 b is an In-M-Zn oxide film (M represents Ga, Y, Zr, La, Ce, or Nd) and a target having the atomic ratio of metal elements of In:M:Zn=x₁:y₁:z₁ is used for forming the oxide semiconductor film 92 b, x₁/y₁ is preferably greater than or equal to ⅓ and less than or equal to 6, further preferably greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 6, and z₁/y₁ is preferably greater than or equal to ⅓ and less than or equal to 6, further preferably greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 6. Note that when z₁/y₁ is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 6, a c-axis aligned crystalline oxide semiconductor (CAAC-OS) film as the oxide semiconductor film 92 b is easily formed. Typical examples of the atomic ratio of the metal elements of the target are In:M:Zn=1:1:1 and In:M:Zn=3:1:2.

Specifically, in the case where the oxide semiconductor film 92 a and the oxide semiconductor film 92 c are an In-M-Zn oxide film (M represents Ga, Y, Zr, La, Ce, or Nd) and a target having the atomic ratio of metal elements of In:M:Zn=x₂:y₂:z₂ is used for forming the oxide semiconductor films 92 a and 92 c, x₂/y₂ is preferably less than x₁/y₁, and z₂/y₂ is preferably greater than or equal to ⅓ and less than or equal to 6, further preferably greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 6. Note that when z₂/y₂ is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 6, CAAC-OS films are easily formed as the oxide semiconductor films 92 a and 92 c. Typical examples of the atomic ratio of the metal elements of the target are In:M:Zn=1:3:2, In:M:Zn=1:3:4, In:M:Zn=1:3:6, In:M:Zn=1:3:8, and the like.

The oxide semiconductor film 92 a and the oxide semiconductor film 92 c each have a thickness of more than or equal to 3 nm and less than or equal to 100 nm, preferably more than or equal to 3 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm. The thickness of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b is more than or equal to 3 nm and less than or equal to 200 nm, preferably more than or equal to 3 nm and less than or equal to 100 nm, further preferably more than or equal to 3 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm.

In the three-layer semiconductor film, the three oxide semiconductor films 92 a to 92 c can be either amorphous or crystalline. Note that the oxide semiconductor film 92 b in which a channel region is formed preferably has a crystalline structure, in which case the transistor 90 can have stable electrical characteristics.

Note that a channel formation region refers to a region of a semiconductor film of the transistor 90 that overlaps with a gate electrode and is between a source electrode and a drain electrode. A channel region refers to a region through which current mainly flows in the channel formation region.

For example, when an In—Ga—Zn oxide film formed by a sputtering method is used as each of the oxide semiconductor films 92 a and 92 c, the oxide semiconductor films 92 a and 92 c can be deposited with the use of an In—Ga—Zn oxide target containing In, Ga, and Zn in an atomic ratio of 1:3:2. The deposition conditions can be as follows: an argon gas (flow rate: 30 sccm) and an oxygen gas (flow rate: 15 sccm) are used as the deposition gas; the pressure is 0.4 Pa; the substrate temperature is 200° C.; and the DC power is 0.5 kW.

Further, when the oxide semiconductor film 92 b is a CAAC-OS film, the oxide semiconductor film 92 b is preferably deposited with the use of a polycrystalline target containing an In—Ga—Zn oxide (In:Ga:Zn=1:1:1 [atomic ratio]). The deposition conditions can be as follows: an argon gas (flow rate: 30 sccm) and an oxygen gas (flow rate: 15 sccm) are used as the deposition gas; the pressure is 0.4 Pa; the substrate temperature is 300° C.; and the DC power is 0.5 kW.

Although the oxide semiconductor films 92 a to 92 c can be formed by a sputtering method, they may be formed by another method, e.g., a thermal CVD method. A metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method or an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method may be employed as an example of a thermal CVD method.

There are few carrier generation sources in a highly purified oxide semiconductor (purified oxide semiconductor) obtained by reduction of impurities such as moisture and hydrogen serving as electron donors (donors) and reduction of oxygen vacancies; therefore, the highly purified oxide semiconductor can be an intrinsic (i-type) semiconductor or a substantially i-type semiconductor. For this reason, a transistor having a channel formation region in a highly purified oxide semiconductor film has extremely small off-state current and high reliability. Thus, a transistor in which a channel formation region is formed in the oxide semiconductor film easily has an electrical characteristic of a positive threshold voltage (also referred to as a normally-off characteristic).

The carrier density in a highly purified oxide semiconductor film is decreased by reducing an impurity element. The carrier density can be, for example, 1×10¹⁷/cm³ or less, 1×10¹⁵/cm³ or less, 1×10¹³/cm³ or less, or 8×10¹¹/cm³ or less. More preferably, the carrier density can be, for example, less than 8×10¹¹/cm³, further preferably less than 1×10¹¹/cm³, or still further preferably less than 1×10¹⁰/cm³ and be 1×10⁻⁹/cm³ or more.

Specifically, various experiments can prove a small off-state current of a transistor having a channel formation region in a highly purified oxide semiconductor film. For example, even when an element has a channel width of 1×10⁶ μm and a channel length of 10 μm, off-state current can be less than or equal to the measurement limit of a semiconductor parameter analyzer, i.e., less than or equal to 1×10⁻¹³ A, at voltage (drain voltage) between the source electrode and the drain electrode of from 1 V to 10 V. In that case, it can be seen that off-state current of the transistor normalized on the channel width is lower than or equal to 100 zA/μm. In addition, a capacitor and a transistor were connected to each other and off-state current was measured using a circuit in which charges flowing to or from the capacitor are controlled by the transistor. In the measurement, a highly purified oxide semiconductor film was used for a channel formation region of the transistor, and the off-state current of the transistor was measured from a change in the amount of charges of the capacitor per unit time. As a result, it can be seen that, in the case where the voltage between the source electrode and the drain electrode of the transistor is 3 V, a lower off-state current of several tens of yoctoamperes per micrometer (yA/μm) is obtained. Accordingly, the transistor including a channel formation region in the highly purified oxide semiconductor film has much lower off-state current than a crystalline silicon transistor.

In the case where an oxide semiconductor film is used as the semiconductor film, at least indium (In) or zinc (Zn) is preferably included as an oxide semiconductor. In addition, as a stabilizer for reducing variations in electrical characteristics among transistors formed using such an oxide semiconductor, gallium (Ga) is preferably contained in addition to In and Zn. Tin (Sn) is preferably contained as a stabilizer. Hafnium (Hf) is preferably contained as a stabilizer. Aluminum (Al) is preferably contained as a stabilizer. Zirconium (Zr) is preferably contained as a stabilizer.

Among oxide semiconductors, unlike silicon carbide, gallium nitride, or gallium oxide, an In—Ga—Zn oxide, an In—Sn—Zn oxide, or the like has an advantage of high mass productivity because a transistor with favorable electrical characteristics can be formed by a sputtering method or a wet process. Further, unlike silicon carbide, gallium nitride, or gallium oxide, with the use of the In—Ga—Zn oxide, a transistor with favorable electrical characteristics can be formed over a glass substrate. Further, a larger substrate can be used.

As another stabilizer, one or more lanthanoids selected from lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu) may be contained.

As the oxide semiconductor, any of the following oxides can be used, for example: indium oxide, gallium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, an In—Zn oxide, an Sn—Zn oxide, an Al—Zn oxide, a Zn—Mg oxide, an Sn—Mg oxide, an In—Mg oxide, an In—Ga oxide, an In—Ga—Zn oxide (also referred to as IGZO), an In—Al—Zn oxide, an In—Sn—Zn oxide, an Sn—Ga—Zn oxide, an Al—Ga—Zn oxide, an Sn—Al—Zn oxide, an In—Hf—Zn oxide, an In—La—Zn oxide, an In—Pr—Zn oxide, an In—Nd—Zn oxide, an In—Ce—Zn oxide, an In—Sm—Zn oxide, an In—Eu—Zn oxide, an In—Gd—Zn oxide, an In—Tb—Zn oxide, an In—Dy—Zn oxide, an In—Ho—Zn oxide, an In—Er—Zn oxide, an In—Tm—Zn oxide, an In—Yb—Zn oxide, an In—Lu—Zn oxide, an In—Sn—Ga—Zn oxide, an In—Hf—Ga—Zn oxide, an In—Al—Ga—Zn oxide, an In—Sn—Al—Zn oxide, an In—Sn—Hf—Zn oxide, and an In—Hf—Al—Zn oxide.

For example, an In—Ga—Zn oxide refers to an oxide containing In, Ga, and Zn, and there is no limitation on the ratio of In to Ga and Zn. Further, the In—Ga—Zn oxide may contain a metal element other than In, Ga, and Zn. The In—Ga—Zn oxide has sufficiently high resistance when no electric field is applied thereto, so that off-state current can be sufficiently reduced. Moreover, the In—Ga—Zn oxide has high mobility.

For example, high mobility can be obtained relatively easily in the case of using an In—Sn—Zn oxide. Meanwhile, when an In—Ga—Zn oxide is used, the mobility can be increased by reducing the defect density in a bulk.

In the transistor 90, a metal in the source and drain electrodes might extract oxygen from the oxide semiconductor film depending on a conductive material used for the source and drain electrodes. In such a case, a region of the oxide semiconductor film in contact with the source electrode or the drain electrode becomes an n-type region due to the formation of an oxygen vacancy. The n-type region serves as a source region or a drain region, resulting in a decrease in the contact resistance between the oxide semiconductor film and the source electrode or the drain electrode. Accordingly, the formation of the n-type region increases the mobility and on-state current of the transistor 90, achieving the high-speed operation of a semiconductor device using the transistor 90.

Note that the extraction of oxygen by a metal in the source electrode and the drain electrode is probably caused when the source electrode and the drain electrode are formed by a sputtering method or when heat treatment is performed after the formation of the source electrode and the drain electrode. The n-type region is more likely to be formed by forming the source electrode and the drain electrode with use of a conductive material which is easily bonded to oxygen. Examples of such a conductive material include Al, Cr, Cu, Ta, Ti, Mo, and W.

Furthermore, in the case where the semiconductor film including the stacked oxide semiconductor films is used in the transistor 90, the n-type region preferably extends to the oxide semiconductor film 92 b serving as a channel region in order that the mobility and on-state current of the transistor 90 can be further increased and the semiconductor device can operate at higher speed.

The insulating film 91 preferably has a function of supplying part of oxygen to the oxide semiconductor films 92 a to 92 c by heating. It is preferable that the number of defects in the insulating film 91 be small, and typically the spin density at g=2.001 due to a dangling bond of silicon be lower than or equal to 1×10¹⁸ spins/cm³. The spin density is measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy.

The insulating film 91, which has a function of supplying part of oxygen to the oxide semiconductor films 92 a to 92 c by heating, is preferably an oxide. Examples of the oxide include aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, silicon nitride oxide, gallium oxide, germanium oxide, yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide, lanthanum oxide, neodymium oxide, hafnium oxide, and tantalum oxide. The insulating film 91 can be formed by a plasma CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method, a sputtering method, or the like.

Note that in this specification, oxynitride contains more oxygen than nitrogen, and nitride oxide contains more nitrogen than oxygen.

Note that in the transistor 90 illustrated in FIGS. 17A to 17C or FIGS. 18A to 18C, the conductive film 96 overlaps with end portions of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b including a channel region that do not overlap with the conductive films 93 and 94, i.e., end portions of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b that are in a region different from a region where the conductive films 93 and 94 are located. When the end portions of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b are exposed to plasma by etching for forming the end portions, a chlorine radical, a fluorine radical, or other radicals generated from an etching gas are easily bonded to a metal element contained in an oxide semiconductor. For this reason, it can be considered that, in the end portions of the oxide semiconductor film, oxygen bonded to the metal element is easily released, so that an oxygen vacancy is easily formed; thus, the end portions of the oxide semiconductor film easily have n-type conductivity. However, an electric field applied to the end portions can be controlled by controlling the potential of the conductive film 96 because the end portions of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b that do not overlap with the conductive films 93 and 94 overlap with the conductive film 96 in the transistor 90 illustrated in FIGS. 17A to 17C or FIGS. 18A to 18C. Consequently, current that flows between the conductive films 93 and 94 through the end portions of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b can be controlled by the potential applied to the conductive film 96. Such a structure of the transistor 90 is referred to as a surrounded channel (s-channel) structure.

With the s-channel structure, specifically, when a potential at which the transistor 90 is turned off is supplied to the conductive film 96, the amount of off-state current that flows between the conductive films 93 and 94 through the end portions can be reduced. For this reason, in the transistor 90, even when the distance between the conductive films 93 and 94 at the end portions of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b is reduced as a result of reducing the channel length to obtain high on-state current, the transistor 90 can have low off-state current. Consequently, with the short channel length, the transistor 90 can have high on-state current when in an on state and low off-state current when in an off state.

With the s-channel structure, specifically, when a potential at which the transistor 90 is turned on is supplied to the conductive film 96, the amount of current that flows between the conductive films 93 and 94 through the end portions of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b can be increased. The current contributes to an increase in the field-effect mobility and an increase in the on-state current of the transistor 90. When the end portions of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b overlap with the conductive film 96, carriers flow in a wide region of the oxide semiconductor film 92 b without being limited to a region in the vicinity of the interface between the oxide semiconductor film 92 b and the insulating film 95, which results in an increase in the amount of carrier movement in the transistor 90. As a result, the on-state current of the transistor 90 is increased, and the field-effect mobility is increased to greater than or equal to 10 cm²/V·s or to greater than or equal to 20 cm²/V·s, for example. Note that here, the field-effect mobility is not an approximate value of the mobility as the physical property of the oxide semiconductor film but is the apparent field-effect mobility in a saturation region of the transistor, which is an index of current drive capability.

A structure of an oxide semiconductor film is described below.

An oxide semiconductor film is classified roughly into a single crystal oxide semiconductor film and a non-single-crystal oxide semiconductor film. The non-single-crystal oxide semiconductor film includes any of an amorphous oxide semiconductor film, a microcrystalline oxide semiconductor film, a polycrystalline oxide semiconductor film, a c-axis aligned crystalline oxide semiconductor (CAAC-OS) film, and the like.

The amorphous oxide semiconductor film has disordered atomic arrangement and no crystalline component. A typical example thereof is an oxide semiconductor film in which no crystal part exists even in a microscopic region, and the whole of the film is amorphous.

The microcrystalline oxide semiconductor film includes a microcrystal (also referred to as nanocrystal) with a size greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than 10 nm, for example. Thus, the microcrystalline oxide semiconductor film has a higher degree of atomic order than the amorphous oxide semiconductor film. Hence, the density of defect states of the microcrystalline oxide semiconductor film is lower than that of the amorphous oxide semiconductor film.

The CAAC-OS film is one of oxide semiconductor films including a plurality of crystal parts, and most of the crystal parts each fit inside a cube whose one side is less than 100 nm. Thus, there is a case where a crystal part included in the CAAC-OS film fits inside a cube whose one side is less than 10 nm, less than 5 nm, or less than 3 nm. The density of defect states of the CAAC-OS film is lower than that of the microcrystalline oxide semiconductor film. In a transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of the CAAC-OS film, a boundary between crystal parts, that is, a grain boundary is not clearly observed. Thus, in the CAAC-OS film, a reduction in electron mobility due to the grain boundary is less likely to occur.

According to a TEM image of the CAAC-OS film observed in a direction substantially parallel to a sample surface (cross-sectional TEM image), metal atoms are arranged in a layered manner in the crystal parts. Each metal atom layer has a morphology reflecting unevenness of a surface where the CAAC-OS film is formed (hereinafter, a surface where the CAAC-OS film is formed is also referred to as a formation surface) or a top surface of the CAAC-OS film, and is arranged parallel to the formation surface or the top surface of the CAAC-OS film.

In this specification, the term “parallel” indicates that the angle formed between two straight lines is greater than or equal to −10° and less than or equal to 10°, and accordingly also includes the case where the angle is greater than or equal to −5° and less than or equal to 5°. In addition, the term “perpendicular” indicates that the angle formed between two straight lines is greater than or equal to 80° and less than or equal to 100°, and accordingly also includes the case where the angle is greater than or equal to 85° and less than or equal to 95°.

On the other hand, according to a TEM image of the CAAC-OS film observed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sample surface (plan-view TEM image), metal atoms are arranged in a triangular or hexagonal configuration in the crystal parts. However, there is no regularity of arrangement of metal atoms between different crystal parts.

From the results of the cross-sectional TEM image and the plan-view TEM image, alignment is found in the crystal parts in the CAAC-OS film.

A CAAC-OS film is subjected to structural analysis with an X-ray diffraction (XRD) apparatus. For example, when the CAAC-OS film including an InGaZnO₄ crystal is analyzed by an out-of-plane method, a peak appears frequently when the diffraction angle (2θ) is around 31°. This peak is derived from the (009) plane of the InGaZnO₄ crystal, which indicates that crystals in the CAAC-OS film have c-axis alignment, and that the c-axes are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the formation surface or the top surface of the CAAC-OS film.

On the other hand, when the CAAC-OS film is analyzed by an in-plane method in which an X-ray beam is incident on a sample in a direction substantially perpendicular to the c-axis, a peak appears frequently when 20 is around 56°. This peak is derived from the (110) plane of the InGaZnO₄ crystal. Here, analysis (φ scan) is performed under conditions where the sample is rotated around a normal vector of a sample surface as an axis (φ axis) with 20 fixed at around 56°. In the case where the sample is a single crystal oxide semiconductor film of InGaZnO₄, six peaks appear. The six peaks are derived from crystal planes equivalent to the (110) plane. On the other hand, in the case of a CAAC-OS film, a peak is not clearly observed even when φ scan is performed with 2θ fixed at around 56°.

According to the above results, in the CAAC-OS film having c-axis alignment, while the directions of a-axes and b-axes are irregularly oriented between crystal parts, the c-axes are aligned in a direction parallel to a normal vector of a formation surface or a normal vector of a top surface. Thus, each metal atom layer arranged in a layered manner observed in the cross-sectional TEM image corresponds to a plane parallel to the a-b plane of the crystal.

Note that the crystal part is formed concurrently with deposition of the CAAC-OS film or is formed through crystallization treatment such as heat treatment. As described above, the c-axis of the crystal is aligned in a direction parallel to a normal vector of a formation surface or a normal vector of a top surface of the CAAC-OS film. Thus, for example, in the case where a shape of the CAAC-OS film is changed by etching or the like, the c-axis might not be necessarily parallel to a normal vector of a formation surface or a normal vector of a top surface of the CAAC-OS film.

Further, the degree of crystallinity in the CAAC-OS film is not necessarily uniform. For example, in the case where crystal growth leading to the CAAC-OS film occurs from the vicinity of the top surface of the film, the degree of the crystallinity in the vicinity of the top surface is higher than that in the vicinity of the formation surface in some cases. Further, when an impurity is added to the CAAC-OS film, the crystallinity in a region to which the impurity is added may be changed, and the degree of crystallinity in the CAAC-OS film might vary depending on regions.

Note that when the CAAC-OS film with an InGaZnO₄ crystal is analyzed by an out-of-plane method, a peak may also be observed when 2θ is around 36°, in addition to the peak at 2θ of around 31°. The peak at 2θ of around 36° indicates that a crystal having no c-axis alignment is included in part of the CAAC-OS film. It is preferable that in the CAAC-OS film, a peak appear when 2θ is around 31° and that a peak not appear when 2θ is around 36°.

With the use of the CAAC-OS film in a transistor, variation in the electrical characteristics of the transistor due to irradiation with visible light or ultraviolet light is small. Thus, the transistor has high reliability.

Note that an oxide semiconductor film may be a stacked film including two or more kinds of an amorphous oxide semiconductor film, a microcrystalline oxide semiconductor film, and a CAAC-OS film, for example.

For the deposition of the CAAC-OS film, the following conditions are preferably used.

By reducing the amount of impurities entering the CAAC-OS film during the deposition, the crystal state can be prevented from being broken by the impurities. For example, the concentration of impurities (e.g., hydrogen, water, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen) which exist in a treatment chamber may be reduced. Furthermore, the concentration of impurities in a deposition gas may be reduced. Specifically, a deposition gas whose dew point is −80° C. or lower, preferably −100° C. or lower is used.

By increasing the substrate heating temperature during the deposition, migration of a sputtered particle is likely to occur after the sputtered particle reaches a substrate surface. Specifically, the substrate heating temperature during the deposition is higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 740° C., preferably higher than or equal to 200° C. and lower than or equal to 500° C. By increasing the substrate heating temperature during the deposition, when the flat-plate-like or pellet-like sputtered particle reaches the substrate, migration occurs on the substrate surface, so that a flat plane of the sputtered particle is attached to the substrate.

Furthermore, preferably, the proportion of oxygen in the deposition gas is increased and the power is optimized in order to reduce plasma damage at the deposition. The proportion of oxygen in the deposition gas is 30 vol % or higher, preferably 100 vol %.

As an example of the target, an In—Ga—Zn oxide target is described below.

The In—Ga—Zn oxide target, which is polycrystalline, is made by mixing InO_(X) powder, GaO_(Y) powder, and ZnO_(Z) powder in a predetermined molar ratio, applying pressure, and performing heat treatment at a temperature higher than or equal to 1000° C. and lower than or equal to 1500° C. Note that X, Y, and Z are given positive numbers. Here, the predetermined molar ratio of InO_(X) powder to GaO_(Y) powder and ZnO_(Z) powder is, for example, 2:2:1, 8:4:3, 3:1:1, 1:1:1, 4:2:3, 2:1:3, or 3:1:2. The kinds of powders and the molar ratio for mixing powders may be determined as appropriate depending on the desired target. A CAAC-OS film formed using a target with a molar ratio of In:Ga:Zn=2:1:3 can have a particularly high proportion of regions where a diffraction pattern of CAAC-OS is observed in a predetermined area (also referred to as proportion of CAAC); thus, a transistor having a channel formation region in this CAAC-OS film can have excellent frequency characteristics.

An alkali metal is not an element included in an oxide semiconductor and thus is an impurity. Likewise, an alkaline earth metal is an impurity when the alkaline earth metal is not a component of the oxide semiconductor. When an insulating film in contact with an oxide semiconductor film is an oxide, Na, among the alkali metals, diffuses into the insulating film and becomes Na⁺. Further, in the oxide semiconductor film, Na cuts or enters a bond between metal and oxygen which are components of the oxide semiconductor. As a result, the electrical characteristics of the transistor deteriorate; for example, the transistor is placed in a normally-on state due to a negative shift of the threshold voltage or the mobility is decreased. In addition, the characteristics of transistors vary. Specifically, the measurement value of a Na concentration by secondary ion mass spectrometry is preferably 5×10¹⁶/cm³ or lower, further preferably 1×10¹⁶/cm³ or lower, still further preferably 1×10¹⁵/cm³ or lower. Similarly, the measurement value of a Li concentration is preferably 5×10¹⁵/cm³ or lower, further preferably 1×10¹⁵/cm³ or lower. Similarly, the measurement value of a K concentration is preferably 5×10¹⁵/cm³ or lower, further preferably 1×10¹⁵/cm³ or lower.

When metal oxide containing indium is used, silicon or carbon having higher bond energy with oxygen than indium might cut the bond between indium and oxygen, so that an oxygen vacancy may be formed. Accordingly, when silicon or carbon is contained in the oxide semiconductor film, the electrical characteristics of the transistor are likely to deteriorate as in the case of using an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal. Thus, the concentrations of silicon and carbon in the oxide semiconductor film are preferably low. Specifically, the carbon concentration or the silicon concentration measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry is 1×10¹⁸/cm³ or lower. In this case, the deterioration of the electrical characteristics of the transistor can be prevented, so that the reliability of a semiconductor device can be improved.

Heat treatment may be performed to further reduce impurities such as moisture and hydrogen contained in the oxide semiconductor film, thereby increasing the purity of the oxide semiconductor film.

For example, the oxide semiconductor film is subjected to heat treatment in a reduced-pressure atmosphere, an inert gas atmosphere of nitrogen, a rare gas, or the like, an oxidation atmosphere, or an ultra dry air atmosphere (the moisture amount is 20 ppm (−55° C. by conversion into a dew point) or less, preferably 1 ppm or less, further preferably 10 ppb or less, in the case where the measurement is performed by a dew point meter in a cavity ring down laser spectroscopy (CRDS) system). Note that the oxidation atmosphere refers to an atmosphere containing an oxidation gas such as oxygen, ozone, or nitrogen oxide at 10 ppm or higher. The inert gas atmosphere refers to an atmosphere which contains the oxidation gas at lower than 10 ppm and is filled with nitrogen or a rare gas.

Note that the heat treatment may be performed in such a manner that heat treatment is performed in an inert gas atmosphere, and then another heat treatment is performed in an atmosphere containing an oxidizing gas at 10 ppm or more, 1% or more, or 10% or more. The heat treatment may be performed at any time after the oxide semiconductor film is formed. For example, the heat treatment may be performed after the oxide semiconductor film is selectively etched.

The heat treatment may be performed at a temperature higher than or equal to 250° C. and lower than or equal to 650° C., preferably higher than or equal to 300° C. and lower than or equal to 500° C. The treatment time is shorter than or equal to 24 hours.

An electric furnace, a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) apparatus, or the like can be used for the heat treatment. With the use of an RTA apparatus, the heat treatment can be performed at a temperature of higher than or equal to the strain point of the substrate if the heating time is short. Therefore, the heat treatment time can be shortened.

Example of Cross-Sectional Structure of Semiconductor Device

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a cross-sectional structure of a semiconductor device 10 including the circuit 21 in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 19, the transistor 22 including a channel formation region in an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the transistor 23 including a channel formation region in a single crystal silicon substrate.

The transistor 23 may include the channel formation region in a semiconductor film or a semiconductor substrate of silicon, germanium, or the like in an amorphous, microcrystalline, polycrystalline, or single crystal state. Alternatively, the transistor 23 may include the channel formation region in an oxide semiconductor film or an oxide semiconductor substrate. In the case where the transistors each include a channel formation region in an oxide semiconductor film or an oxide semiconductor substrate, the transistor 22 is not necessarily stacked over the transistor 23, and the transistors 22 and 23 may be formed in the same layer.

In the case where the transistor 23 is formed using a thin silicon film, any of the following can be used in the thin film: amorphous silicon formed by a sputtering method or a vapor phase growth method such as a plasma-enhanced CVD method; polycrystalline silicon obtained by crystallization of amorphous silicon by treatment such as laser annealing; single crystal silicon obtained by separation of a surface portion of a single crystal silicon wafer by implantation of hydrogen ions or the like into the silicon wafer; and the like.

A semiconductor substrate 601 where the transistor 23 is formed can be, for example, a silicon substrate, a germanium substrate, or a silicon germanium substrate. In FIG. 19, a single crystal silicon substrate is used as the semiconductor substrate 601.

The transistor 23 is electrically isolated by an element isolation method. As the element isolation method, a selective oxidation method (a local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) method), a trench isolation method (a shallow trench isolation (STI) method), or the like can be used. FIG. 19 illustrates an example where the trench isolation method is used to electrically isolate the transistor 23. Specifically, in FIG. 19, the transistor 23 is electrically isolated by element isolation using an element isolation region 610 formed in such a manner that an insulator including silicon oxide or the like is buried in a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate 601 by etching or the like.

An insulating film 611 is provided over the transistor 23. Openings are formed in the insulating film 611. Conductive films 625 and 626 that are electrically connected to the source and the drain of the transistor 23 and a conductive film 627 that is electrically connected to the gate of the transistor 23 are formed in the openings.

The conductive film 625 is electrically connected to a conductive film 634 formed over the insulating film 611. The conductive film 626 is electrically connected to a conductive film 635 formed over the insulating film 611. The conductive film 627 is electrically connected to a conductive film 636 formed over the insulating film 611.

An insulating film 612 is formed over the conductive films 634 and 635. An opening is formed in the insulating film 612. A conductive film 637 electrically connected to the conductive film 636 is formed in the opening. The conductive film 637 is electrically connected to a conductive film 651 formed over the insulating film 612.

An insulating film 613 is formed over the conductive film 651. An opening is formed in the insulating film 613. A conductive film 652 electrically connected to the conductive film 651 is formed in the opening. The conductive film 652 is electrically connected to a conductive film 653 formed over the insulating film 613. A conductive film 644 is formed over the insulating film 613.

An insulating film 661 is formed over the conductive film 653 and the conductive film 644. In FIG. 19, the transistor 22 is formed over the insulating film 661.

The transistor 22 includes, over the insulating film 661, a semiconductor film 701 including an oxide semiconductor, conductive films 721 and 722 functioning as source and drain electrodes over the semiconductor film 701, a gate insulating film 662 over the semiconductor film 701 and the conductive films 721 and 722, and a gate electrode 731 overlapping with the semiconductor film 701 over the gate insulating film 662 and between the conductive films 721 and 722. Note that the conductive film 722 is electrically connected to the conductive film 653 in the opening formed in the insulating film 661.

In the semiconductor film 701 of the transistor 22, there is a region 710 between a region overlapping with the conductive film 721 and a region overlapping with the gate electrode 731. In addition, in the semiconductor film 701 of the transistor 22, there is a region 711 between a region overlapping with the conductive film 722 and the region overlapping with the gate electrode 731. When an inert gas such as argon, an impurity which imparts p-type conductivity to the semiconductor film 701, or an impurity which imparts n-type conductivity to the semiconductor film 701 is added to the regions 710 and 711 using the conductive films 721 and 722 and the gate electrode 731 as a mask, the resistivity of the regions 710 and 711 can be made lower than that of the region overlapping with the gate electrode 731 in the semiconductor film 701.

An insulating film 663 is provided over the transistor 22.

In FIG. 19, the transistor 22 has the gate electrode 731 on at least one side of the semiconductor film 701; alternatively, the transistor 22 may have a pair of gate electrodes with the semiconductor film 701 positioned therebetween.

In the case where the transistor 22 has a pair of gate electrodes with the semiconductor film 701 positioned therebetween, one of the gate electrodes may be supplied with a signal for controlling the on/off state, and the other of the gate electrodes may be supplied with a potential from another element. In this case, potentials with the same level may be supplied to the pair of gate electrodes, or a fixed potential such as the ground potential may be supplied only to the other of the gate electrodes. By controlling the level of a potential supplied to the other of the gate electrodes, the threshold voltage of the transistor can be controlled.

In FIG. 19, the transistor 22 has a single-gate structure where one channel formation region corresponding to one gate electrode 731 is provided. However, the transistor 22 may have a multi-gate structure where a plurality of electrically connected gate electrodes are provided so that a plurality of channel formation regions are included in one active layer.

Examples of Electronic Device

The semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention can be used for display devices, personal computers, or image reproducing devices provided with recording media (typically, devices which reproduce the content of recording media such as digital versatile discs (DVDs) and have displays for displaying the reproduced images). Other examples of electronic devices that can be equipped with the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention are cellular phones, game machines including portable game machines, portable information terminals, e-book readers, cameras such as video cameras and digital still cameras, goggle-type displays (head mounted displays), navigation systems, audio reproducing devices (e.g., car audio systems and digital audio players), copiers, facsimiles, printers, multifunction printers, automated teller machines (ATM), vending machines, and medical devices. FIGS. 20A to 20F illustrate specific examples of these electronic devices.

FIG. 20A illustrates a portable game machine, which includes a housing 5001, a housing 5002, a display portion 5003, a display portion 5004, a microphone 5005, a speaker 5006, an operation key 5007, a stylus 5008, and the like. The semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention can be used for a variety of integrated circuits included in portable game machines. Although the portable game machine in FIG. 20A has the two display portions 5003 and 5004, the number of display portions included in a portable game machine is not limited to this.

FIG. 20B illustrates a portable information terminal including a first housing 5601, a second housing 5602, a first display portion 5603, a second display portion 5604, a joint 5605, an operation key 5606, and the like. The semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention can be used for a variety of integrated circuits included in portable information terminals. The first display portion 5603 is provided in the first housing 5601, and the second display portion 5604 is provided in the second housing 5602. The first housing 5601 and the second housing 5602 are connected to each other with the joint 5605, and the angle between the first housing 5601 and the second housing 5602 can be changed with the joint 5605. Images displayed on the first display portion 5603 may be switched in accordance with the angle at the joint 5605 between the first housing 5601 and the second housing 5602. A display device with a position input function may be used as at least one of the first display portion 5603 and the second display portion 5604. Note that the position input function can be added by providing a touch panel in a display device. Alternatively, the position input function can be added by provision of a photoelectric conversion element called a photosensor in a pixel portion of a display device.

FIG. 20C illustrates a notebook type personal computer including a housing 5401, a display portion 5402, a keyboard 5403, a pointing device 5404, and the like. The semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention can be used for a variety of integrated circuits included in notebook type personal computers.

FIG. 20D illustrates an electric refrigerator-freezer including a housing 5301, a refrigerator door 5302, a freezer door 5303, and the like. The semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention can be used for a variety of integrated circuits included in electric refrigerator-freezers.

FIG. 20E illustrates a video camera including a first housing 5801, a second housing 5802, a display portion 5803, operation keys 5804, a lens 5805, a joint 5806, and the like. The semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention can be used for a variety of integrated circuits included in video cameras. The operation keys 5804 and the lens 5805 are provided in the first housing 5801, and the display portion 5803 is provided in the second housing 5802. The first housing 5801 and the second housing 5802 are connected to each other with the joint 5806, and the angle between the first housing 5801 and the second housing 5802 can be changed with the joint 5806. Images displayed on the display portion 5803 may be switched in accordance with the angle at the joint 5806 between the first housing 5801 and the second housing 5802.

FIG. 20F illustrates a passenger car including a car body 5101, wheels 5102, a dashboard 5103, lights 5104, and the like. The semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention can be used for a variety of integrated circuits included in passenger cars.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE

10: semiconductor device, 11: processor, 12: memory circuit, 13: PMU, 14: register, 15: comparator circuit, 16: power supply, 17: counter, 18: logic circuit, 19: circuit, 20: cell array, 21: circuit, 22: transistor, 23: transistor, 24: transistor, 25: capacitor, 26: group, 26-m: group, 26-1: group, 27: cell array, 30: driver circuit, 31: driver circuit, 32: driver circuit, 33: circuit, 34: circuit, 35: switch, 36: circuit, 37: circuit, 38: circuit, 39: circuit, 42: wiring, 43: LUT, 44: flip-flop, 45: input terminal, 46: output terminal, 47: AND circuit, 48: multiplexer, 49: terminal, 50: multiplexer, 51: terminal, 52: terminal, 53: terminal, 63: circuit, 64: circuit, 90: transistor, 91: insulating film, 92 a: oxide semiconductor film, 92 b: oxide semiconductor film, 92 c: oxide semiconductor film, 93: conductive film, 94: conductive film, 95: conductive film, 96: conductive film, 97: substrate, 400: substrate, 401: element isolation region, 402: impurity region, 403: impurity region, 404: channel formation region, 405: insulating film, 406: gate electrode, 411: insulating film, 412: conductive film, 413: conductive film, 414: conductive film, 416: conductive film, 417: conductive film, 418: conductive film, 420: insulating film, 421: insulating film, 422: insulating film, 430: semiconductor film, 430 a: oxide semiconductor film, 430 c: oxide semiconductor film, 431: gate insulating film, 432: conductive film, 433: conductive film, 434: gate electrode, 601: semiconductor substrate, 610: element isolation region, 611: insulating film, 612: insulating film, 613: insulating film, 625: conductive film, 626: conductive film, 627: conductive film, 634: conductive film, 635: conductive film, 636: conductive film, 637: conductive film, 644: conductive film, 651: conductive film, 652: conductive film, 653: conductive film, 661: insulating film, 662: gate insulating film, 663: insulating film, 701: semiconductor film, 710: region, 711: region, 721: conductive film, 722: conductive film, 731: gate electrode, 5001: housing, 5002: housing, 5003: display portion, 5004: display portion, 5005: microphone, 5006: speaker, 5007: operation key, 5008: stylus, 5101: car body, 5102: wheel, 5103: dashboard, 5104: light, 5301: housing, 5302: refrigerator door, 5303: freezer door, 5401: housing, 5402: display portion, 5403: keyboard, 5404: pointing device, 5601: housing, 5602: housing, 5603: display portion, 5604: display portion, 5605: joint, 5606: operation key, 5801: housing, 5802: housing, 5803: display portion, 5804: operation key, 5805: lens, and 5806: joint.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application serial no. 2014-022284 filed with Japan Patent Office on Feb. 7, 2014 and Japanese Patent Application serial no. 2014-043913 filed with Japan Patent Office on Mar. 6, 2014, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising: a memory circuit, wherein the semiconductor device stores a start-up routine in the memory circuit and executes the start-up routine, wherein the semiconductor device operates the memory circuit as a buffer memory device after executing the start-up routine, and wherein the semiconductor device loads the start-up routine into the memory circuit from outside after operating the memory circuit as a buffer memory device and before the semiconductor device is powered off, wherein the semiconductor device measures a length of a period in which a supply of power to the semiconductor device is stopped, wherein the semiconductor device compares the length of a measured period with a length of a preset period after the supply of power, wherein the semiconductor device loads the start-up routine into the memory circuit from the outside after the comparing and executes the start-up routine when the measured period is longer than the preset period, and wherein the semiconductor device executes the start-up routine stored in the memory circuit before the semiconductor device is powered off when the measured period is shorter than the preset period.
 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the memory circuit comprises a semiconductor element including an oxide semiconductor.
 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the memory circuit comprises a memory cell, wherein the memory cell comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a capacitor, wherein a first terminal of the first transistor, a gate of the second transistor, and a first electrode of the capacitor are electrically connected to each other, wherein a first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to a first terminal of the third transistor, and wherein the first transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.
 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the memory circuit comprises a memory cell, wherein the memory cell comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, and a capacitor, wherein a first terminal of the first transistor, a gate of the second transistor, and a first electrode of the capacitor are electrically connected to each other, and wherein the first transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.
 5. A semiconductor device comprising: a memory circuit, wherein the semiconductor device performs a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation in this order, wherein the semiconductor device is powered off between the first operation and the second operation, wherein the semiconductor device executes a start-up routine in the first operation, wherein the semiconductor device stores data on a setting of the semiconductor device in the memory circuit before completing the first operation, wherein the semiconductor device performs an operation based on the setting according to the data stored in the memory circuit without executing the start-up routine in the second operation, wherein the semiconductor device is powered off between the second operation and the third operation, and wherein the semiconductor device loads the start-up routine into the memory circuit from outside and capable of executing the start-up routine in the third operation.
 6. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, further comprising: a logic circuit, wherein the logic circuit comprises a plurality of circuits, and wherein the memory circuit controls electrical connection between the plurality of circuits according to the data.
 7. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the memory circuit operates as a buffer memory device after the start-up routine is executed in the first operation, and wherein the memory circuit operates as a buffer memory device after the operation based on the setting is performed in the second operation.
 8. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the memory circuit comprises a semiconductor element including an oxide semiconductor.
 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the memory circuit comprises a memory cell, wherein the memory cell comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a capacitor, wherein a first terminal of the first transistor, a gate of the second transistor, and a first electrode of the capacitor are electrically connected to each other, wherein a first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to a first terminal of the third transistor, and wherein the first transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.
 10. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the memory circuit comprises a memory cell, wherein the memory cell comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, and a capacitor, wherein a first terminal of the first transistor, a gate of the second transistor, and a first electrode of the capacitor are electrically connected to each other, and wherein the first transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.
 11. A device comprising: a circuit, wherein the device performs a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation in this order, wherein the device is configured to be powered off between the first operation and the second operation, wherein the device executes a program for a first setting of the device in the first operation, wherein the device stores data on a second setting of the device in the circuit before completing the first operation, wherein the device performs an operation based on the second setting according to the data stored in the circuit without executing the program in the second operation, wherein the device is configured to be powered off between the second operation and the third operation, and wherein the device loads the program into the circuit from outside and capable of executing the program in the third operation.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the circuit comprises a semiconductor element including an oxide semiconductor.
 13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the circuit comprises a memory cell, wherein the memory cell comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a capacitor, wherein a first terminal of the first transistor, a gate of the second transistor, and a first electrode of the capacitor are electrically connected to each other, wherein a first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to a first terminal of the third transistor, and wherein the first transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer.
 14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the circuit comprises a memory cell, wherein the memory cell comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, and a capacitor, wherein a first terminal of the first transistor, a gate of the second transistor, and a first electrode of the capacitor are electrically connected to each other, and wherein the first transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer. 